David Crowley, the Milwaukee county executive, won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor after beating the democratic socialist Francesca Hong in a tight contest. With most votes counted, Crowley had 39.8% of the vote, ahead of Hong’s 39.4%, according to the Associated Press: a lead of just more than 3,000 votes. The race came down to the wire, with Hong and Crowley running close to each other as each batch of results came in.

Hong, a chef and former restaurant owner from Madison, ran on a platform that included childcare for all, free school meals and a one-year moratorium on the construction of new datacenters. Crowley welcomed those who voted for Hong to join him in the lead-up to November’s general election. “I look forward to earning their support,” he told reporters.

Crowley argued the contest was not a “battle between the left and the center”. He said, “We may not agree on every policy. We may not use the same labels, but we all want safe communities, strong schools, affordable healthcare, good-paying jobs, and a brighter future for all of our children.” Tony Evers, the outgoing governor, endorsed Crowley, hailing him as “the future of our Party”.

Hong congratulated Crowley and said she would support him in the general election. Crowley’s pitch was electability, positioning himself to win against Republican Tom Tiffany, an ardent Trump supporter. The Wisconsin governor’s race became the latest test of the progressive wing’s durability in the midwest.