Republican Wisconsin gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany drew a direct line between his Democratic opponent, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and the Democratic Socialists of America candidate Francesca Hong, arguing both have surrendered to socialist ideology.
Appearing Monday on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” Tiffany responded to host Cheryl Casone’s question about why Hong—a self-described DSA dark horse—came so close to clinching the Democratic nomination, only to lose amid fallout over her comments about canceling Thanksgiving.
“The Democrat Party has been taken over by the socialists. It’s as simple as that,” Tiffany said. “My opponent David Crowley. He said a couple weeks ago that my policies are very little different than Francesca Hong. They have basically capitulated to the socialists.”
Tiffany framed the primary battle as a symptom of a broader ideological shift within the Wisconsin Democratic Party, one he said is out of step with what voters actually want.
A ‘Siren Song of Socialism’
The congressman from Wisconsin’s 7th District rejected the notion that voters are embracing socialism out of genuine enthusiasm, instead attributing Democratic traction on the issue to economic frustration over affordability—rent, utilities, and other costs.
“It is about affordability, I believe,” Tiffany said. “But they believe some of their followers believe that if we just cast aside the free enterprise system, the system of our government that provides more freedom. That maybe we can find a better way. It’s always the siren song of socialism that says we’re going to make life so much better. We know it fails every time.”
Casone had pressed Tiffany on why voters were gravitating toward Hong’s policies, and whether economic pain was driving the appeal. Tiffany pivoted to argue that the real problem is not the economy but Democratic leadership’s willingness to embrace fringe ideology in pursuit of primary votes.
Crowley’s Comment Under Fire
Tiffany’s remarks centered on a comment Crowley made weeks ago in which he reportedly said Tiffany’s policies are “very little different” from Hong’s. That statement, Tiffany said, reveals that Crowley has effectively aligned himself with the DSA wing of the party—one that has been ascendant in recent primary cycles.
Hong, a state representative from Madison, ran a surprisingly strong campaign in the Democratic gubernatorial primary before losing to Crowley. Her campaign was dogged by her past comments about canceling Thanksgiving, which drew widespread criticism and may have cost her the nomination.
Tiffany framed the close primary as evidence that socialist influence is not a fringe phenomenon in Wisconsin but has penetrated the Democratic mainstream.
General Election Implications
The Republican nominee’s attack sets the stage for a general election battle in which he will seek to tie Crowley to the more radical elements of his party’s base. Whether that message resonates with Wisconsin voters weary of rising costs and inflation remains to be seen.
Tiffany’s comments also reflect a broader Republican strategy heading into the fall: paint Democratic candidates as beholden to socialist policies that threaten the free enterprise system. The tactic has been used in races across the country, but its effectiveness often depends on local context.
In Wisconsin, where the gubernatorial race is expected to be competitive, the Crowley campaign has not yet responded to Tiffany’s latest remarks.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/08/24/gop-rep-tiffany-wi-democrat-nominee-crowley-like-hong-both-capitulated-to-the-socialists/