Wisconsin's Democratic primary is not your typical proxy fight
Francesca Hong is not a typical democratic socialist candidate and David Crowley is not a typical "establishment" candidate. That's what makes Wisconsin's Democratic primary so fascinating.
The Recombobulation Area is a 19-time 21-TIME! Milwaukee Press Club award-winning opinion column and online publication founded by Milwaukee journalist Dan Shafer.
As Wisconsin’s Democratic primary has entered the national consciousness in recent weeks, the typical actors in the punditry have attempted to shoehorn this race into the endless progressive-centrist battle that’s roiled the blue team since the Hillary Clinton-Bernie Sanders primary a decade ago.
For wildcard-turned-frontrunner Francesca Hong, the state representative from Madison, she’s been the proxy for the progressive and Democratic socialist wing of the party, with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the closest challenger, as the de facto representative of the center-left.
But covering this race closely and knowing these candidates well, I do not think Francesca Hong is a typical progressive movement candidate, nor do I think David Crowley is a typical “establishment” candidate. That’s what makes Wisconsin’s Democratic primary so fascinating.
Take your proxy fights elsewhere, national media. They don’t quite fit here.
