American politician and educator, governor of Wisconsin since 2019
Lieutenant Governor Rodriguez has fired her campaign manager after discovering miscounted contributions and expenses, revealing the campaign is underfunded ahead of Wisconsin’s August 11 primary. She says she will move forward and correct the records, with endorsements shifting as the race tightens.
Wisconsin’s governor race enters a new phase as Gov. Tony Evers endorses Milwaukee County Executive Nikiu Crowley, boosting his bid after a surprise departure by Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. Crowley, who has paused his campaign, is re-entering a crowded Democratic primary to face Francesca Hong, Mandela Barnes, Kelda Roys and Joel Brennan ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.
Police in Madison shot a suspect who was armed with a knife after a bicycle pursuit through a busy city street. The man died in hospital, four officers are on administrative leave, and a state investigation is underway. The incident has triggered protests and renewed calls for body-worn cameras and police reform.
The Senate and House are pressing ahead with scheduling amid talks on government funding, crypto regulation, and voting integrity. Republicans push for votes on the SAVE Act and the CLARITY Act, while Democrats warn that bipartisan support is required to avert a lapse in funding and to address other urgent policy items.
A tornado has struck the Fox Cities region in Wisconsin, impacting Appleton, Menasha and Neenah. Officials say the tornado traveled about 12 miles, caused widespread damage to roofs, power lines and vehicles, and prompted shelter openings. Despite the scale of damage, there have been no confirmed deaths or missing persons as crews continue assessments.
The Wisconsin Democratic field has shifted as former lieutenant governor Barnes withdraws, leaving Francesca Hong’s rise in the liberal wing and David Crowley’s reentry; the primary is Aug. 11 with Tiffany as the likely Republican challenger.
Lawmakers have advanced a stopgap funding package to keep the government running through Dec. 11, while negotiations over full-year funding and policy riders continue. The measure blocks funding transfers to border enforcement, delays a hemp ban by one month, and avoids a government shutdown ahead of midterm elections.
Salah Sarsour, a long-time U.S. resident, remains in immigration proceedings after being arrested by ICE. A judge has released him, citing insufficient justification for deportation, while DHS maintains he poses a foreign policy threat due to Israeli convictions. Hearings continue, with new testimony addressing torture claims and potential coercion in past Israeli proceedings.
In Wisconsin, Francesca Hong has lost the governor's primary to David Crowley by less than 1 point, a dramatic turn after polls showed she led by double digits. The result mirrors a broader pattern of polling misses and rising momentum for progressive candidates in state races. Prediction markets also underestimated Crowley’s chances.
Crowley has secured a narrow Democratic primary victory in Wisconsin and will face Republican Tom Tiffany in November. Hong’s near-win signals ongoing tensions within the party between centrist and progressive wings, with implications for the general election in a battleground state.
The Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary has shifted from a projected landslide to a narrow loss for Francesca Hong. David Crowley’s centrism prevails, inflaming debates on polling accuracy and the role of prediction markets in shaping campaigns.