Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted the Wisconsin governor’s race towards Democrats after a late night win for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley over democratic socialist Francesca Hong.
The election handicapper changed the race from a “toss up” to one that leans Democratic following Crowley’s victory.
His win bucked a series of polls that showed Crowley with a 20-plus percentage point lag behind Hong, whose campaign gained national attention amid the party’s growing crowd of democratic socialists.
Crowley is center-left and earned endorsements from the retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) and Democratic National Convention Representative Alex Lasry before advancing as the party’s nominee.
It marks a crucial win for moderate Democrats, who have been outshined by democratic socialists in recent primary races in New York and Colorado.
Sabato’s Crystal Ball race shift signals that Crowley could overtake Rep. Tom Tiffany, Wisconsin’s Republican gubernatorial nominee, in November.
Crowley is one of a handful of Black men across the nation running to become governor.
Others include Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and John James (R-Mich.), Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D-N.J.) and South Carolina state Rep. Jermaine Johnson (D).
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