Kathmandu— Francesca Hong’s closely contested defeat in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race marked a setback for progressive forces, but broader election results indicate continued momentum for socialist electoral projects across the Midwest and beyond. While Hong lost to centrist Democrat David Crowley by just 0.5 percentage points after previously leading in polls, candidates endorsed by Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapters secured victories or advanced to general elections in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Vermont. The results suggest that despite a high-profile loss, the Left’s electoral strategy is demonstrating surprising resilience and potential for growth.

Midwest Momentum and Recent Victories

The defeat followed what had been a period of positive outcomes for progressive candidates in the region, including Abdul El-Sayed's win in the Michigan Senate primary. This victory fueled expectations for Hong’s campaign in Wisconsin, making her loss particularly notable. However, observers caution against interpreting the results as a wholesale rejection of socialist policies or candidates.

DSA Candidates See Broad Success

Despite Hong’s narrow defeat, five out of eight DSA-endorsed candidates in Wisconsin and Minnesota won their respective races. An additional four advanced to the general election unopposed, while five more are headed for a general election contest in Connecticut and Vermont. Notably, one losing DSA-backed candidate was defeated by another socialist who did not receive the organization’s endorsement.

Hong's Race as a Key Test

Hong’s campaign held particular significance due to her explicit identification as a socialist and the statewide nature of the race in a key Midwestern state. The close margin of defeat raises questions about factors that contributed to the outcome, especially considering the recent successes experienced by similar campaigns in neighboring Michigan.

The results from these races suggest that while challenges remain, the socialist electoral project continues to gain traction and demonstrate its ability to compete in mainstream elections.

(With inputs from Jacobin)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.