Democrats Panicking as Wisconsin Race Descends into Chaos
The Democratic establishment's concerns are compounded by the fact that Hong's campaign has been gaining momentum, with some polls suggesting she is now the frontrunner in the primary. Her campaign has been fueled by a strong grassroots effort and a message that resonates with progressive voters. However, centrist Democrats worry that her left-leaning policies may not appeal to moderate voters in the general election, potentially handing the governorship to Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.
The entry of Crowley into the race adds another layer of complexity to the already crowded field. His decision to reenter the campaign has been seen as an attempt to provide a more moderate alternative to Hong and prevent her from winning the nomination. However, it remains to be seen whether Crowley's candidacy will gain traction and whether he can unite the Democratic Party behind his bid.
As the primary election approaches, Democrats are increasingly anxious about the prospect of losing the governorship. The party has not held unified control of the state government since 2010, and this election is seen as a crucial opportunity to regain power. The stakes are high, with control of the state legislature and the governor's mansion hanging in the balance.
The Democratic Party's chances of winning the governorship are further complicated by the fact that the Republican Party has a strong candidate in Tom Tiffany. Tiffany, a conservative lawmaker, has been gaining support from Republican voters and is seen as a formidable opponent in the general election. Democrats know that they will need to unite behind a strong candidate if they are to have any chance of winning the governorship and regaining control of the state government.
Democratic strategists believe that outgoing Gov. Tony Evers may endorse Crowley, although Crowley himself has only acknowledged receiving calls from various elected officials, business leaders, and community leaders. When asked specifically about Evers, Crowley declined to comment. This potential endorsement underscores the concern among some Democrats about the current state of the race and their dissatisfaction with both Hong and Barnes.
Other Democrats, however, are wary that backing Crowley could have unintended consequences, potentially weakening Barnes' standing against Hong. Senior Wisconsin strategists argue that elevating Crowley would be an uphill battle, given his lack of momentum earlier in the campaign. "It's probably not a realistic move at this point, even with the governor's support, because of the time constraint," one strategist noted. "David was never really able to catch fire and resonate with voters."
The dynamics of the race have become increasingly complex, with some candidates attempting to capitalize on others' missteps. A recent attempt to amend a report briefly suggested that one candidate had a significant amount of money on hand, only to revert to a much lower figure. This chaos has led some to conclude that the race is Hong's to lose, unless moderate and conservative Democrats can consolidate their support. "Unless the moderate and conservative Dems consolidate, this race is going to be won by Fran," said Ryan Clancy, a democratic socialist state lawmaker backing Hong.
Hong has dismissed concerns about her electability, pointing to her vast volunteer network, online enthusiasm, and anti-establishment fervor as evidence of her viability. She believes that her focus on issues like lowering prices and curbing data center development will attract voters from across the political spectrum. "The most electable person is the one who wins the most votes," Hong said, "and I think we're bringing so much strength."
Barnes, who has polled alongside Hong in public surveys, is attempting to make the case that he is the only candidate who can compete with her. His pollster, Bryan Stryker, has declared the campaign "a two-person race," citing polls that show Barnes leading Tiffany in a general election matchup. However, Barnes has struggled to clear the field, and some party insiders have drawn comparisons between his current effort and his unsuccessful 2022 run against GOP Sen. Ron Johnson. Barnes' campaign has pushed back against these claims, arguing that his 2022 loss was due to being outspent by tens of millions of dollars in a difficult year for Democrats.
Lower-polling candidates, such as Brennan and Roys, are also attempting to assert their viability, although their odds of success appear slim. Both candidates have circulated memos to supporters outlining their paths to victory, with Brennan emphasizing his executive experience and Roys highlighting her previous gubernatorial run in 2018.
As the Democratic primary continues to unfold, Hong's campaign has seen a significant influx of support from activists, donors, and party officials who previously backed other candidates. This surge in support has also been accompanied by an increase in grassroots contributions. However, despite this momentum, none of the Democratic candidates have a clear financial advantage, with Hong and Roys holding just over $400,000 in the bank, followed closely by Brennan and Crowley.
The financial landscape of the race is further complicated by Tiffany's substantial war chest, with the Republican candidate sitting on nearly $3 million in cash-on-hand. This financial disparity has emboldened Republicans, with Tiffany taking aim at Hong and declaring that "socialists have set their sights on Wisconsin." The Republican Governor's Association has also launched a $2 million TV ad campaign targeting Hong, featuring clips of her promising to "abolish ICE" and restore Wisconsin's "progressive roots."
According to Bill McCoshen, a longtime Wisconsin GOP strategist, Tiffany is well-positioned to win the race, capitalizing on the perceived divide between "common sense" and more progressive policies. Republicans are eager to seize on Hong's past statements, including her calls to abolish the police and her refusal to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. However, some Democrats argue that assuming Wisconsinites will reject Hong's views is elitist, citing the state's history of progressive politics.
Freshman state Rep. Christian Phelps, a democratic socialist and Hong ally, believes that nominating Hong would be a risk worth taking, despite acknowledging the potential challenges. In rural areas, some Democrats are more skeptical, worrying that Hong's views will struggle to resonate with voters. Sarah Kemp, a 60-year-old resident of Woodruff, expressed concerns that Hong would face significant challenges in a general election against Tiffany, citing the state's more conservative leanings.
However, others argue that Tiffany's hard-right positions will ultimately prove disqualifying, giving any Democratic candidate an advantage in the current national environment. Pat Kreitlow, a former Democratic state senator, believes that Hong can galvanize strong liberals and attract disengaged voters, while also peeling away lean-Republican voters who may be turned off by Trump's policies and high gas prices. Vilas County Democratic Party Chair Amy Fassler noted that winning over these voters will be crucial, but may be challenging due to concerns about Hong's socialist label.
As the campaign season heats up, Democrats are focusing on mobilizing their base and attracting undecided voters. With the primary election just around the corner, the party is gearing up for a fierce battle against Tiffany and the Republican machine. The outcome of the election will not only determine the future of Wisconsin but also have significant implications for the national political landscape. In the coming weeks, voters will have to decide whether to embrace Hong's progressive vision or opt for a more moderate approach, setting the stage for a potentially historic election.
The entry of Crowley into the race adds another layer of complexity to the already crowded field. His decision to reenter the campaign has been seen as an attempt to provide a more moderate alternative to Hong and prevent her from winning the nomination. However, it remains to be seen whether Crowley's candidacy will gain traction and whether he can unite the Democratic Party behind his bid.
As the primary election approaches, Democrats are increasingly anxious about the prospect of losing the governorship. The party has not held unified control of the state government since 2010, and this election is seen as a crucial opportunity to regain power. The stakes are high, with control of the state legislature and the governor's mansion hanging in the balance.
The Democratic Party's chances of winning the governorship are further complicated by the fact that the Republican Party has a strong candidate in Tom Tiffany. Tiffany, a conservative lawmaker, has been gaining support from Republican voters and is seen as a formidable opponent in the general election. Democrats know that they will need to unite behind a strong candidate if they are to have any chance of winning the governorship and regaining control of the state government.
Democratic strategists believe that outgoing Gov. Tony Evers may endorse Crowley, although Crowley himself has only acknowledged receiving calls from various elected officials, business leaders, and community leaders. When asked specifically about Evers, Crowley declined to comment. This potential endorsement underscores the concern among some Democrats about the current state of the race and their dissatisfaction with both Hong and Barnes.
Other Democrats, however, are wary that backing Crowley could have unintended consequences, potentially weakening Barnes' standing against Hong. Senior Wisconsin strategists argue that elevating Crowley would be an uphill battle, given his lack of momentum earlier in the campaign. "It's probably not a realistic move at this point, even with the governor's support, because of the time constraint," one strategist noted. "David was never really able to catch fire and resonate with voters."
The dynamics of the race have become increasingly complex, with some candidates attempting to capitalize on others' missteps. A recent attempt to amend a report briefly suggested that one candidate had a significant amount of money on hand, only to revert to a much lower figure. This chaos has led some to conclude that the race is Hong's to lose, unless moderate and conservative Democrats can consolidate their support. "Unless the moderate and conservative Dems consolidate, this race is going to be won by Fran," said Ryan Clancy, a democratic socialist state lawmaker backing Hong.
Hong has dismissed concerns about her electability, pointing to her vast volunteer network, online enthusiasm, and anti-establishment fervor as evidence of her viability. She believes that her focus on issues like lowering prices and curbing data center development will attract voters from across the political spectrum. "The most electable person is the one who wins the most votes," Hong said, "and I think we're bringing so much strength."
Barnes, who has polled alongside Hong in public surveys, is attempting to make the case that he is the only candidate who can compete with her. His pollster, Bryan Stryker, has declared the campaign "a two-person race," citing polls that show Barnes leading Tiffany in a general election matchup. However, Barnes has struggled to clear the field, and some party insiders have drawn comparisons between his current effort and his unsuccessful 2022 run against GOP Sen. Ron Johnson. Barnes' campaign has pushed back against these claims, arguing that his 2022 loss was due to being outspent by tens of millions of dollars in a difficult year for Democrats.
Lower-polling candidates, such as Brennan and Roys, are also attempting to assert their viability, although their odds of success appear slim. Both candidates have circulated memos to supporters outlining their paths to victory, with Brennan emphasizing his executive experience and Roys highlighting her previous gubernatorial run in 2018.
As the Democratic primary continues to unfold, Hong's campaign has seen a significant influx of support from activists, donors, and party officials who previously backed other candidates. This surge in support has also been accompanied by an increase in grassroots contributions. However, despite this momentum, none of the Democratic candidates have a clear financial advantage, with Hong and Roys holding just over $400,000 in the bank, followed closely by Brennan and Crowley.
The financial landscape of the race is further complicated by Tiffany's substantial war chest, with the Republican candidate sitting on nearly $3 million in cash-on-hand. This financial disparity has emboldened Republicans, with Tiffany taking aim at Hong and declaring that "socialists have set their sights on Wisconsin." The Republican Governor's Association has also launched a $2 million TV ad campaign targeting Hong, featuring clips of her promising to "abolish ICE" and restore Wisconsin's "progressive roots."
According to Bill McCoshen, a longtime Wisconsin GOP strategist, Tiffany is well-positioned to win the race, capitalizing on the perceived divide between "common sense" and more progressive policies. Republicans are eager to seize on Hong's past statements, including her calls to abolish the police and her refusal to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. However, some Democrats argue that assuming Wisconsinites will reject Hong's views is elitist, citing the state's history of progressive politics.
Freshman state Rep. Christian Phelps, a democratic socialist and Hong ally, believes that nominating Hong would be a risk worth taking, despite acknowledging the potential challenges. In rural areas, some Democrats are more skeptical, worrying that Hong's views will struggle to resonate with voters. Sarah Kemp, a 60-year-old resident of Woodruff, expressed concerns that Hong would face significant challenges in a general election against Tiffany, citing the state's more conservative leanings.
However, others argue that Tiffany's hard-right positions will ultimately prove disqualifying, giving any Democratic candidate an advantage in the current national environment. Pat Kreitlow, a former Democratic state senator, believes that Hong can galvanize strong liberals and attract disengaged voters, while also peeling away lean-Republican voters who may be turned off by Trump's policies and high gas prices. Vilas County Democratic Party Chair Amy Fassler noted that winning over these voters will be crucial, but may be challenging due to concerns about Hong's socialist label.
As the campaign season heats up, Democrats are focusing on mobilizing their base and attracting undecided voters. With the primary election just around the corner, the party is gearing up for a fierce battle against Tiffany and the Republican machine. The outcome of the election will not only determine the future of Wisconsin but also have significant implications for the national political landscape. In the coming weeks, voters will have to decide whether to embrace Hong's progressive vision or opt for a more moderate approach, setting the stage for a potentially historic election.
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