A Wisconsin Lesson for Democrats: Don’t Fire First

The lack of attacks from Democratic opponents on Francesca Hong’s left-leaning record has allowed her to build a significant lead in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary. This restraint is unusual, raising questions about the party’s strategy and internal divisions.

Wisconsin is not an outlier when it comes to contentious primaries, particularly for governor. Unlike last year’s Democratic Senate primary in Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed faced intense scrutiny over his positions on US policy toward Israel, Hong has been largely spared such criticism from her opponents. Instead, negative advertising has come mainly from outside groups: a pro-Crowley group and one linked to the Republican Governors Association, which have painted her as “too liberal” for Wisconsin.

This dichotomy highlights the delicate balance Democrats face in battleground states like Wisconsin. On one hand, their candidates need to appeal to the party’s progressive base; on the other, they must also win over moderates and independents who may view them as too extreme. Hong has managed this tightrope thus far, but it remains to be seen how well she will hold up in a general election against a Republican opponent.

Crowley’s campaign spending is notable: with over $4 million invested in advertising, he has outspent Hong and other Democratic candidates by a significant margin. Yet, his efforts have focused mainly on positive messaging, with few direct shots taken at Hong’s record or policies.

This strategy may reflect Crowley’s own positioning within the party. As a moderate Democrat, he likely recognizes that attacking Hong from the left could alienate her supporters and reinforce perceptions that he is out of touch with the party’s base. By holding his fire, Crowley has attempted to carve out space for himself as a more pragmatic alternative – one who can win over independents and moderates without sacrificing too much ground on the left.

However, this approach also raises questions about the party’s willingness to engage in internal debates and critiques. By failing to confront Hong’s more controversial positions head-on, Democrats may be missing an opportunity to have a broader conversation about their values and priorities. This silence could ultimately harm them more than any negative advertising campaign.

As Wisconsin voters prepare to go to the polls tomorrow, it will be interesting to see whether Hong’s lead holds up in the face of increased scrutiny from Republican opponents. Her success serves as a reminder that Democrats still have much work to do in building a cohesive and effective strategy for winning battleground states like Wisconsin.