# Wisconsin gubernatorial race intensifies: Crowley vs.Tiffany > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wisconsin-2026-governor-race > Updated: 2026-08-26T17:44:36.000Z. Sources: 185. Developments: 24. The Wisconsin gubernatorial race has entered the general election phase between Democratic nominee David Crowley and Republican nominee Tom Tiffany. Crowley secured the Democratic nomination following a narrow primary victory over Democratic Socialist candidate Francesca Hong, winning by less than one percentage point (approximately 39.8% to 39.4%). Hong’s campaign faced scrutiny over past social media comments regarding police funding and Thanksgiving, and she notably lacked endorsements from prominent progressives like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Republican Representative Tom Tiffany, who won his primary with approximately 95% of the vote, has centered his campaign on criticizing Crowley’s leadership and economic vision. Tiffany has utilized advertisements labeling Crowley ‘data center David Crowley,’ arguing that the expansion of AI and data hubs threatens farmland, water, and taxpayers. He has also targeted Crowley’s record regarding public safety and Milwaukee County’s budget and law enforcement staffing following incidents at the Wisconsin State Fair. Polling indicates a competitive race. While a Badger Battleground Poll showed Crowley leading 48% to 44%, a more recent Marquette Law School poll finds him leading likely voters 49-44, though candidates are tied at 44-44 among all registered voters. Crowley maintains a significant advantage among independent voters, though approximately one-third of general election voters remain undecided. The campaigns continue to focus on economic policy, inflation, infrastructure, and the environmental impacts of data center development. ## Claims - Polls show Francesca Hong leading David Crowley in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary. (disputed by 9 sources) - David Crowley won the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary with approximately 39.8% of the vote. (disputed by 9 sources) - Early voting for Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary began on July 28, 2026, 14 days before the August 11 primary. (disputed by 3 sources) - The Democratic primary election is scheduled for August 11, 2024. (disputed) - David Crowley will face Republican Representative Tom Tiffany in the November general election. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Crowley won the primary by a narrow margin of less than one percentage point. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Francesca Hong is a Democratic socialist state representative running for Wisconsin governor. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers endorsed David Crowley. (corroborated by 10 sources) - In November 2020 Hong posted on social media calling to “Cancel Thanksgiving”. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Francesca Hong later said Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday and she does not want to cancel it. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Hong previously advocated defunding police, abolishing ICE and the U.S. Senate. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Francesca Hong campaigned on progressive policies including free childcare, healthcare, and increased taxation on billionaires and corporations. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Wisconsin gubernatorial race: Crowley leads Tiffany in new poll A Marquette Law School poll shows Democratic David Crowley leading Republican Tom Tiffany by five points among likely voters in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race, amid debates over data center expansion. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-gubernatorial-race-crowley-leads-tiffany-in-new-poll ### 2026-08-19: David Crowley wins Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong in an upset Wisconsin gubernatorial primary victory. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/francesca-hong-loses-wisconsin-democratic-gubernatorial-primary ### 2026-08-17: Wisconsin gubernatorial race intensifies between Crowley and Tiffany Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has secured the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin governor, facing Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in a general election marked by debates over data centers and public' 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/david-crowley-wins-wisconsin-democratic-gubernatorial-primary-2 ### 2026-08-14: David Crowley wins Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary David Crowley narrowly defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary, winning by less than one percent. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-democratic-primary-results-spark-debate-on-woke-politics ### 2026-08-12: David Crowley wins Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary David Crowley narrowly defeated Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary. Crowley will face Republican Tom Tiffany in the November general election. 90 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-democratic-gubernatorial-primary-shows-tight-race ### 2026-08-10: Francesca Hong faces scrutiny over past political statements Wisconsin gubernatorial front-runner Francesca Hong is facing scrutiny over past radical social media posts, which she says she has since evolved from. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/francesca-hong-faces-scrutiny-over-past-political-statements ### 2026-08-08: Wisconsin gubernatorial primary features DSA candidate Francesca Hong Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong faces scrutiny over past radical remarks, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urges voters to focus on her current platform. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/francesca-hong-leads-wisconsin-democratic-gubernatorial-primary-1 ### 2026-08-06: Francesca Hong Leads Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Amid Controversy Francesca Hong leads Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, facing backlash over a 2020 “Cancel Thanksgiving” post and promoting a data‑center moratorium; GOP opponent Tom Tiffany and Crowley’s re‑entry, 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-gov-candidate-francesca-hong-faces-scrutiny-over-cancel-thanksgiving-posts ### 2026-08-06: Wisconsin Democratic Primary Shows Progressive‑Moderate Split Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary pits Gov. Tony Evers‑backed David Crowley against democratic socialist Francesca Hong, with polls showing Hong ahead and the winner set to face Rep. Tom Tiffany in N 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-democratic-primary-shows-progressivemoderate-split ### 2026-08-04: Francesca Hong Defends 'Cancel Thanksgiving' Post as Wisconsin Governor Race Heats Up Wisconsin gubernatorial hopeful Francesca Hong defended a resurfaced 2020 tweet calling to cancel Thanksgiving, saying views can evolve, and shifted her stance on policing, now saying she will not abolish the ​ 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/francesca-hong-revises-thanksgiving-stance-in-wisconsin-governor-race ### 2026-08-03: Wisconsin Democratic Candidate Francesca Hong Draws Scrutiny Over Tax Plan and Son Comments Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Francesca Hong proposes a 17% top tax rate and faces criticism for alleged comments about her biracial son. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-democratic-candidate-francesca-hong-draws-scrutiny-over-tax-plan-and-son-comments ### 2026-08-03: Francesca Hong Leads Democratic Socialist Push in Wisconsin Gubernatorial Race Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, leads the Wisconsin governor primary, while the DSA pushes radical constitutional reforms and gains national attention. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/francesca-hong-rejects-senate-abolition-amid-wisconsin-governor-campaign ### 2026-08-01: Francesca Hong draws criticism over resurfaced 'Cancel Thanksgiving' post and socialist views in Wisconsin governor race Francesca Hong leads the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary but faces backlash over a resurfaced “Cancel Thanksgiving” tweet, past socialist positions, and a disclosed bipolar diagnosis. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/francesca-hong-leads-wisconsin-democratic-gubernatorial-primary ### 2026-07-29: Francesca Hong Leads Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Francesca Hong, a Democratic Socialist, leads Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, ahead of former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (who withdrew) and David Crowley, while facing GOP attacks and scrutiny over D 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/francesca-hong-tops-wisconsin-democratic-gubernatorial-primary-polls ### 2026-07-27: Wisconsin Democratic Governor Primary Debate Shows Unity, Ballot Ruling Pending Wisconsin’s five Democratic governor hopefuls debated on July 28, 2026, showing unity and avoiding attacks. Early voting is underway, over 100k mail‑in ballots cast, and a pending court ruling could let voters‑ 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-democratic-gubernatorial-primary-heats-up ### 2026-07-22: Wisconsin Gov. Democratic Primary: Francesca Hong Leads Poll Marquette poll shows State Rep. Francesca Hong leading the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary, with about half of voters still undecided. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-gov-democratic-primary-francesca-hong-leads-poll ### 2026-07-20: Wisconsin Democratic Governor Primary Heats Up Amid Hong Lead and Evers Endorsement Francesca Hong leads Wisconsin’s Democratic governor primary with 70 % odds; Gov. Tony Evers endorses rival David Crowley after Sara Rodriguez exits amid scandal. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-democratic-governor-primary-heats-up-amid-hong-lead-and-evers-endorsement ### 2026-07-20: David Crowley Secures Laborers' Endorsement in Wisconsin Governor Primary Laborers’ District Council backs David Crowley as he seeks the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial nomination, joining other candidates in the Aug 11 primary. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/david-crowley-secures-laborers-endorsement-in-wisconsin-governor-primary ### 2026-07-18: David Crowley Re‑enters Wisconsin Governor Race with Gov. Tony Evers Endorsement David Crowley has re‑entered the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary after Sara Rodriguez’s exit and received Governor Tony Evers’ endorsement ahead of the Aug 11 primary. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/david-crowley-reenters-wisconsin-governor-race-backed-by-gov-tony-evers ### 2026-07-15: Wisconsin Democratic Governor Primary Upset as Sara Rodriguez Withdraws Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez drops out of the governor race over finance issues, reopening the Democratic primary and prompting possible re‑entry by David Crowley. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-campaign-faces-ethics-complaint-and-financial-scrutiny ### 2026-07-15: Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Candidate Kelda Roys Leads Primary Fundraising Democratic candidate Kelda Roys leads Wisconsin's governor primary fundraising with $1.2 M raised and $400 k cash, matching Rep. Hong, while gaining TV exposure; other candidates trail financially. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-democratic-gov-candidate-kelda-roys-leads-primary-fundraising ### 2026-07-13: Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidate Sara Rodriguez Fires Campaign Manager Over Finance Errors Wisconsin Gov. candidate Sara Rodriguez fired her campaign manager after a finance review exposed duplicated donations and a cash shortfall, prompting a Ethics Commission notice ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-candidate-sara-rodriguez-fires-campaign-manager-over-finance-filing-errors ### 2026-06-16: Wisconsin Democrats clash over governor primary candidates Wisconsin Democrats split over whether Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez or Rep. Francesca Hong should lead the party’s gubernatorial bid, a race that could flip state control after 16 years of Republican rule. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-democrats-clash-over-governor-primary-candidates ### 2026-06-01: Wisconsin governor race field solidifies as candidates file for ballot Ten candidates (1 GOP, 8 Democrats, 1 independent) filed for Wisconsin's governor race; a June 11 forum will let seven Democratic hopefuls discuss education with students. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wisconsin-governor-race-field-solidifies-as-candidates-file-for-ballot --- Cite as: Wisconsin gubernatorial race intensifies: Crowley vs.Tiffany. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wisconsin-2026-governor-race