NEW GLARUS, Wis. - Sarah Miller, a software engineer residing in the progressive center of Madison, has encountered extensive talk about internal divisions within the Democratic Party involving progressives and moderates. Yet her sole priority remains achieving electoral success.

This perspective leads Miller to support David Crowley in Tuesday's gubernatorial primary. The Milwaukee County executive, backed by two-term Gov. Tony Evers, competes against democratic socialist Francesca Hong in a race viewed as a national indicator of Democratic willingness to shift further left.

Wisconsin's contest follows a week after progressive Abdul El-Sayed edged out Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan's U.S. Senate primary, creating a significant evaluation for progressives in a pivotal swing state during November. Minnesota voters also decide a U.S. Senate race on Tuesday between a centrist and a progressive.

Amid a cycle where dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership has boosted outsider candidates nationwide, Crowley aims to reverse that pattern in Wisconsin. He relies on Evers' popularity, as one of the state's favored officials, to gain traction in the final stages of the unpredictable primary.

Crowley noted that El-Sayed's narrow win provides some optimism. He plans to target undecided voters directly.

The split between progressives and mainstream Democrats is evident, according to Miller, age 49. Her attention stays fixed on November, when the primary victor will confront Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a firm Trump ally and among Congress's most conservative members.

Identifying as progressive herself, Miller labeled Hong a notably weak contender whose support appears overstated. She doubts Hong's ability to prevail in the general election, expressed during a Crowley event at a New Glarus winery days before voting.

Crowley anticipates similar voter sentiment. A late July Marquette University Law School survey of Wisconsin Democratic primary participants, taken prior to former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes exiting, indicated Hong held a strong advantage. Over 112,000 absentee ballots had returned by the poll's release date.

Crowley's route faces hurdles from his July 8 withdrawal and reentry ten days later, backed by Evers after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez concluded her bid. Barnes then exited twelve days afterward amid conduct allegations.

Barnes and Rodriguez, once leading contenders, stay on the ballot with prior votes unchangeable.

Michael Gebben, a 64-year-old Democrat who cast an absentee ballot for Rodriguez before her departure, described the situation as self-created and hoped for resolution.

While Crowley campaigned statewide for remaining voters, Hong addressed recent controversies involving old social media remarks on canceling Thanksgiving over colonialism concerns, criticizing Valentine's Day as capitalist influence on affection, and advocating police defunding. She has since clarified opposition to eliminating police forces.

Tiffany highlighted Hong's Thanksgiving comments, accusing her of seeking to undermine unifying traditions. With far greater campaign funds than his opponents entering August, Tiffany frames the race as order versus disorder.

Evers' spokesperson Britt Cudaback defended the Crowley endorsement this week, noting Wisconsin residents cannot risk November reducing to extreme online statements from Tiffany or Hong.

Crowley's references to the Evers backing elicited applause at recent stops in New Glarus and Madison, though such endorsements have not always swayed other primaries, as seen with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's support for the moderate Stevens who fell short.

Despite the backing, Crowley rejects the establishment label despite legislative service exceeding three years and leadership in Milwaukee County since 2020. He views the term as derogatory, especially as an African American seeking to become Wisconsin's first Black governor, emphasizing his focus on people over institutions.

Hong backer Chris Vestin has encountered electability doubts previously. He compares them to efforts favoring Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders in 2016, when Sanders won Wisconsin by 13 points yet Trump prevailed statewide that year, lost in 2020, and reclaimed it in 2024.

Vestin, 54, deems Evers' endorsement of Crowley counterproductive and suggests establishment figures aim to limit options, viewing electability critiques of Hong as sometimes rooted in bias.

Minnesota voters on Tuesday select between moderate U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, occurring after intensified immigration actions in the state.

However, Wisconsin carries greater weight. Democrats seek to retain the governorship and gain both legislative chambers for unified control, absent since 2010. Republicans advanced numerous conservative measures, such as curtailing public worker bargaining rights, during their full control period from 2011 to 2018.

Crowley stressed the need for a trifecta to supporters in New Glarus, underscoring the ticket's top position.

Crowley supporter Lindsey Lee, 61, from Madison, observed before the event that undecided Democrats appear shifting toward Crowley, likening it to a close horse race finish where Hong leads but Crowley advances rapidly.