DSA member leads Dem primary in Midwest battleground — but trails likely GOP nominee: poll

A socialist-backed campaigner is starring nan section successful a high-stakes Democratic gubernatorial showdown successful battleground Wisconsin.

Wisconsin authorities Rep. Francesca Hong, a Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member, stands astatine 26% support among voters apt to formed a ballot successful nan state's Aug. 11 Democratic superior for governor, according to a Marquette Law School canvass released this week.

Former Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who narrowly mislaid nan state's 2022 U.S. Senate predetermination to GOP Sen. Ron Johnson, stood astatine 2nd spot successful nan study astatine 15%, pinch astir half of those questioned still undecided. Hong and Barnes are portion of a crowded section of Democrats successful nan title to win retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

The superior is besides shaping up, on pinch nan Aug. 4 Democratic Senate superior successful Michigan, arsenic a cardinal statewide showdown successful a important plaything authorities betwixt nan far-left and nan center-left constitution for nan ideological early of nan party.

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Francesca Hong, a Democratic authorities lawmaker and socialist campaigner for Wisconsin governor, speaks to voters astatine a status home, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, successful Madison, Wis. (Scott Bauer/AP Photo)

Hong, who is backed by Wisconsin-based DSA chapters, has besides landed nan support of apical nationally known progressives, including Reps. Ilhan Omar of neighboring Minnesota and Ro Khanna of California, a imaginable 2028 Democratic statesmanlike contender.

Her level includes guaranteed paid time off arsenic good arsenic a one-year moratorium successful Wisconsin connected building AI information centers. Hong has faced scrutiny complete years-old societal media posts calling for defunding and abolishing nan police. Her run says she nary longer supports cutting constabulary budgets aliases abolishing constabulary departments.

In nan poll, Wisconsin's existent lieutenant governor, Sara Rodriguez, received 11% support. Rodriguez dropped retired of nan title past week, aft nan canvass was conducted, pursuing contention complete her campaign’s mishandling of financial reports.

When Rodriguez's supporters’ votes were transferred to their 2nd choice, nan canvass indicated Hong starring Barnes by a somewhat smaller 27% to 18% margin.

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Then-Senate campaigner Mandela Barnes is seen leaving a canvas motorboat arena connected Nov. 7, 2022, successful Glendale, Wisconsin. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Two different Democratic candidates, erstwhile Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan and authorities Sen. Kelda Roys, registered successful nan debased azygous digits.

After Rodriguez suspended her campaign, erstwhile Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley jumped backmost into nan race. Crowley had precocious dropped retired to backmost Rodriguez.

Evers, who decided against seeking a 3rd word arsenic Wisconsin governor, quickly backed Crowley, calling him nan "best candidate" to conclusion Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany successful November.

Tiffany is connected a glide way to seizure nan Republican information arsenic he faces disconnected pinch long-shot aesculapian work technician Andy Manske successful nan GOP primary.

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Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., cheers arsenic Donald Trump is announced arsenic nan victor of Wisconsin's electoral assemblage votes during a associated convention of Congress successful nan House enclosure connected Monday, January 6, 2025 (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The canvass indicates Barnes edging Tiffany 44%-40% successful a hypothetical wide predetermination matchup, pinch Hong trailing Tiffany 43%-40%.

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The study was conducted July 8-16, pinch 838 Wisconsin registered voters, including 695 apt voters, questioned.

The poll's wide sampling correction is positive aliases minus 4.5 percent points, pinch a separator of correction of positive aliases minus 6.1 percent points for apt Democratic superior voters.