So-called moderate Democrats trying to steer their party back into a position of electability this November appeared to get a little help this week when democratic socialist Francesca Hong lost her bid to become Wisconsin governor.

But the struggle to keep an energized far-left wing of the party from dominating the messaging this fall is far from over as democratic socialists overtly talk about defunding police and prisons and erasing 2nd Amendment rights important to independent voters.  

Hong, a state representative and dues-paying member of the Democratic Socialists of America, lost to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley by a slim margin of roughly 3,200 votes. 

Her loss follows recent progressive House primary wins over more moderate incumbents in deep-blue areas such as New York City and the Denver area. 

But a setback for the furthest-left candidate in a swing state like Wisconsin appears to show there may be limits to the movement’s reach beyond urban centers and can alienate moderate Democrats and swing voters. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​