Today’s primary in Wisconsin will be test for progressives in key battleground

Progressive candidates are making significant strides in Democratic primaries ahead of the US midterm elections in November, leading up to a crucial Democratic gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin on Tuesday. 37-year-old Korean American Francesca Hong, a state representative, is currently leading the race. A victory for Hong, who identifies as a democratic socialist, would provide a boost to the progressive insurgency within the Democratic Party, potentially securing a presence in a key Midwestern battleground state.

President Donald Trump has intensified his attacks on progressive Democratic candidates, dubbing them "communists" and more recently, "jihadists." Hong's campaign has gained attention as part of a string of surprisingly strong performances by progressive Democratic candidates. In Michigan's Democratic Senate primary on August 4, progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed emerged victorious over a centrist rival, securing the party's nomination.

In Minnesota, also holding its primary on Tuesday, both moderate US Rep. Angie Craig and progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan are in a tight contest for the Democratic Senate nomination.

At her final campaign rally on Monday, Hong advocated for higher taxes on the wealthy, universal child care, increased funding for public education, and a US$20 hourly minimum wage. She criticized the current minimum wage of US$7.25, stating that it was "extreme" and "radical" that people were deciding how much change someone could receive. Hong expressed her frustration with the current state of affairs, highlighting the need to unite in order to reclaim power from Wisconsin's working class.

Trump has capitalized on these developments within the Democratic Party. During a White House press briefing on Monday, when asked about his campaign strategy for Republican candidates, Trump remarked, "The one thing is we have jihadists being elected all over the place." He did not specify whom he was referring to, but his comments suggest concern over the increasing influence of progressive candidates in the Democratic Party.

Trump also claimed that progressive Democratic candidates were advocating to "get rid" of the Supreme Court, the presidency, and the Senate, although he did not explicitly make such claims himself. He referenced calls to cut funding for police as part of his critique of the Democratic Party's shift to the left.