State Representative Washington Post, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has emerged as the front-runner in the Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor. According to a recent Marquette Law School primary poll, the 37-year-old legislator is outpacing more prominent Democratic figures, including a former lieutenant governor and a former top state administrator.
Hong’s surge comes as establishment Democrats struggle to coalesce around a centrist alternative ahead of the August 11 primary. An internal poll released by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley showed Hong leading him by 21 points, with Crowley placing third and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes trailing Hong but leading Crowley by one point.
Insurgent Platform and Background
First elected to the Wisconsin state assembly in 2020, Hong is the first Asian American elected to that body. She is one of four members of a revived socialist caucus in the Legislature that had been dormant since 1935. Before entering politics, Hong worked in the restaurant industry for more than a decade, with experience as a dishwasher and line cook.
Running as an insurgent candidate, Hong is seeking to become the first female and first Asian American governor of Wisconsin. Her policy platform includes several transformative proposals:
- A $20 minimum wage.
- The creation of a state-owned bank to fund free child care and free health care.
- Increased taxes on wealthy individuals.
- A moratorium on the construction of data centers.
Despite her affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America, Hong has attempted to distance herself from the national movement, describing her campaign as a movement moment
intended to unite independents, Republicans, and Democrats. She has dismissed concerns that her views are too liberal for the state, suggesting that such worries underestimate what voters actually want.
Establishment Volatility and Competition
The Democratic establishment has faced significant disarray during the primary cycle. Efforts were initially made to unite the field behind Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, leading candidates like David Crowley to drop out. However, Rodriguez subsequently withdrew from the race following a campaign finance scandal.
Crowley re-entered the race on July 17, receiving the endorsement of outgoing Gov. Tony Evers. He and Mandela Barnes—who narrowly lost a 2022 U.S. Senate race—are both seeking to become the state’s first Black governor. While Barnes has been described by strategist Joe Zepecki as a favorite due to his name recognition, Hong’s base remains strong in Madison, while Barnes and Crowley focus on Milwaukee.
The primary also includes long-shot candidate Joel Brennan. As of the Tuesday before the primary, nearly 108,000 mail-in ballots had already been returned.
General Election Stakes
The outcome of the primary is viewed as critical to Democrats’ goals of flipping both chambers of the Legislature and retaining the governor’s office to achieve full control of the state government for the first time since 2010.
The Democratic nominee will face a Republican candidate named Tiffany, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump. Tiffany faces only nominal opposition in the Republican primary. Some voters and analysts have expressed concern that Hong may struggle to win over rural voters north of Madison and Milwaukee, potentially making it tough
for her to defeat Tiffany in the general election.
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