Establishment Democrats found an unexpected savior in Wisconsin: David Crowley.

The Milwaukee county executive narrowly defeated Democratic socialist state Rep. Francesca Hong on Tuesday in an upset victory that stopped progressive momentum. Crowley significantly outperformed opinion polls, which heavily favored Hong. Ultimately, Democratic voters decided that his pragmatic message would be more competitive in the purple state that President Trump won twice.

Here are some things to know about Crowley.

An unlikely victor

Crowley initially dropped out last month after trailing in polling and weak fundraising. He told voters a clear path to victory in the primary was unlikely and endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, but re-entered the race after getting the support of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, after Rodriguez dropped out.

He was able to further solidify a base of support after former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes quit the race with less than two weeks before the primary. His victory was far from certain, and opinion polling suggested that Hong would comfortably win, but last-minute stumbles from Hong's campaign allowed Crowley to squeeze out a narrow victory.

A more pragmatic message

While Hong ran on more progressive ideas like free universal Medicare and stopping data center constructions, Crowley absorbed the moderate lane, positioning himself as a pragmatist with a record in government. He also pushed a more bipartisan message, telling The Wall Street Journal the day before the primary that to win statewide a coalition of "not just Democrats, but Republicans and independents" was needed.

Moderates and establishment Democrats, like Evers, said Crowley had the broadest general-election appeal and was someone who could galvanize independent voters who could be turned off by Democratic socialism and risk the Democrats' hope for clinching a trifecta in the state's two legislative chambers and the governor's mansion.

His win stopped a progressive streak that saw victories in Democratic primaries in Minnesota, Michigan, New York Pennsylvania and Colorado.

Republicans begin to fret

Wisconsin Republicans poured millions of dollars into advertising for Hong's campaign, believing that her primary victory would turn off more moderate and independent voters and boost GOP gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Tom Tiffany, who was backed by the president.

Their bet failed, and Tiffany will now have to run against a candidate who has strong support from a popular Democratic governor. Tiffany will also be defending Trump's record, whose approval rating has reached record lows in recent months. Tiffany is a member of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus.

Career politician

Crowley, who had a challenging childhood, previously served in the state's Assembly, representing Milwaukee. During his tenure, he focused on criminal justice reform, protecting reproductive healthcare rights and was deeply involved in closing a controversial state youth prison.

He later was elected in 2020 as the youngest and first Black county executive in the city's history. In office, he pushed a bipartisan state bill that reformed state tax collection, as well as free legal representation to low-income tenants facing civil eviction in court.

His victory would make history

If elected, Crowley would make history as the first Black governor in Wisconsin. Nationally, there have been only four Black governors ever elected in U.S. history, including former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder elected in 1990, former Gov. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick elected in 2007, current Maryland Gov. Wes Moore elected 2023.