Here & Now

The race that once looked like a runaway turned into a photo finish, as David Crowley narrowly defeated Francesca Hong to win the Democratic nomination.

Now that Wisconsin's gubernatorial election is set, the candidates are already turning the page from the primary to the general.

Here and now, reporter Steven Potter has the story.

You know, we're not going to win this race focusing on ideology alone.

It's about focusing on Wisconsin values.

about the very soul of the state of Wisconsin.

After more than a few twists for the Democrats in the primary, Wisconsin voters now know which two candidates they'll choose from in the election for governor this fall.

On the Democratic side, it will be Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

And on the Republican side, it will be U.S.

Congressman Tom Tiffany.

You are the reason our common sense message is being delivered in every corner of the state of Wisconsin.

Yes.

And you are the reason why we are going to turn the governorship red in November, aren't you?

Yeah.

Yes.

From the moment he entered the race, Tom Tiffany, who hails from northern Wisconsin, has been the Republican frontrunner with only nominal opposition from a relatively unknown Republican in the primary.

Tiffany pulled in more than 95% of the Republican vote on Tuesday at his election night party.

He thanked supporters and pinpointed his stance on issues he thinks will help him win in November.

Taxes keep rising.

An opportunity becomes harder to find because at the heart of this election is a fundamental difference in how we see Wisconsin's future.

It was far more difficult for David Crowley to secure his win in the Democratic primary.

His path to victory was not only a stunning upset but also an unexpected comeback.

Crowley dropped out of the race in early July, but jumped back in after the campaign of Sara Rodriguez imploded and Mandela Barnes made a sudden exit.

When he got back into the race, he did so with an endorsement from the state's top Democrat.

That we kind of had a secret weapon, particularly when it came down to our great governor here, In every poll, Crowley was trailing Democratic Socialists and state Representative Francesca Hong by double digits.

But as Hong tried to weather negative press in the final days of the election, it seemed more possible that Crowley could be a true contender.

As election results rolled in late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, Crowley gradually took the lead and won just barely.

In all, Crowley earned 39.8% of the Democratic vote, beating Hong by half of a percentage point.

At a press conference, Crowley thanked his supporters and spoke about what sets him apart from his new Republican opponent.

But we all want safe communities, strong schools, affordable health care, good paying jobs and a brighter future for all of our children.

And every one of us has something much bigger to unite around.

And that is keeping Maga extremism from bringing the chaos we see in Washington into our neighborhoods right here in the state of Wisconsin.

Both candidates now turn their attention toward attracting the undecided voter.

Whatever your political label, Republican, independent, politically homeless, or a Democrat, there's a place for you in the common sense movement.

We deserve better than politicians who who divide us for their own political gain.

We deserve leaders who wake up every single morning asking one simple question how can I make life better for the people we serve?

Now, with the table finally set for the November 3rd general election, Crowley and Tiffany have less than 90 days to make their case and prove to voters why they should serve as governor the next four years.

Reporting from Middleton.

I'm Steven Potter for Here and Now.

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