Overview
- The five remaining Democratic candidates met for an hourlong WISN debate on Tuesday, July 28, and the event was largely cordial with few direct attacks between contenders.
- A State Navigate poll released July 28 put Francesca Hong well ahead of rivals while other surveys show a large share of Democrats remain undecided, leaving the race volatile in the final two weeks before the Aug. 11 primary.
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley reentered the race after briefly withdrawing and is running with Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement while reporting has surfaced about an old pseudonymous social account tied to him that contained offensive posts.
- Democrats have filed a lawsuit seeking permission for voters who already returned absentee ballots to cancel and recast them because more than 100,000 mail ballots were returned before late withdrawals and reentries changed the field.
- The primary winner will face Rep. Tom Tiffany in November, a contest national Republicans are backing heavily, so Democrats’ concerns about electability, fundraising gaps, and party unity are shaping late campaign strategy.