Overview
- Sen. Bernie Sanders told Pod Save America on Thursday that he will not endorse Francesca Hong, saying he is focused on House and Senate control and is not closely involved in the race.
- Hong remains the front-runner in multiple polls heading into the Aug. 11 Democratic primary, but recent resurfaced social posts calling to cancel Thanksgiving and advocating defunding or abolishing police have forced public walkbacks and intensified scrutiny.
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, backed by Governor Tony Evers and boosted by stronger July fundraising, continues to trail Hong in polls despite consolidation by establishment Democrats.
- Commentators and party strategists warn that Hong’s record and associations give Republicans a clear line of attack that could harm Democratic chances in a competitive state and draw outside spending and messaging into the fall.
- The primary is now seen as a test of the party’s direction after progressive upsets in other states and could shape whether national figures, donors, and outside groups invest to defend or replace the nominee ahead of November.