Wisconsin Democrats Begin Early Voting in Fractured Gubernatorial Primary

Voters in Wisconsin opened the early in-person voting period Tuesday for a contentious Democratic gubernatorial primary that has split the party’s base between competing visions and candidates. The swing state contest pits a democratic socialist challenger against the sitting governor’s handpicked successor, leaving party leaders concerned about a fractured convention heading into November’s general election.

Five Democratic candidates are scheduled to participate in their sole debate Tuesday evening, just days before the August 11 primary. The field includes insurgent Francesca Hong, who has mobilized support among the party’s progressive wing; former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, whose Milwaukee base represents one of Wisconsin’s largest Democratic strongholds; and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who carries the endorsement of Gov. Tony Evers and is seeking to become the state’s first Black governor.

Crowley rejoined the race on July 17, one day after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez withdrew amid campaign finance violations. Hughes, a former state economic director, also ended her campaign, yet both candidates’ names remain on ballots already distributed to voters. Democrats have filed a lawsuit seeking to allow voters who returned ballots to cancel them through the rarely used ballot spoiling process, citing the shifting candidate field.

The Republican nominee will be U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who secured President Donald Trump’s backing in a state Trump won in both 2016 and 2024. Early in-person voting continues through August 9, with all mail ballots due by poll closing on election day.