Can a democratic socialist win governor's race in battleground Wisconsin?

Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong is testing the state's purple waters.

Democratic socialists predict another victory for their movement may arrive in an unlikely place: battleground Wisconsin, where state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist running for governor, is testing the state's purple waters.

"Regardless of generation, but especially for young people, they are demanding a different type of politics and a different type of politician," Hong said in an interview with ABC News.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, himself a democratic socialist, endorsed congressional candidates who swept their primaries in June. But some observers caution the country's largest city and the swing state of Wisconsin are worlds apart.

"If a [Democratic Socialists of America] candidate can win in Manhattan, that doesn't mean they can win in Manhattan, Kansas, right?" Charles Franklin, the director of the Marquette Law School Poll, told ABC News.

The stakes are high for Democrats to win in Wisconsin -- a state that President Donald Trump carried in the 2024 presidential election -- as the party is hungry to flip a slate of competitive congressional races and win a state government trifecta of governor, state Assembly and Senate and the state Supreme Court for the first time since 2010.

In latest shakeup of race, Gov. Evers endorses Hong's opponent

While reliable public polling has been scant, a statewide poll from Marquette in March found Hong pulling a slight lead over top contenders in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary, including former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who dropped out of the race on Friday over a campaign finance controversy.

But in another shakeup of the race, Gov. Tony Evers on Saturday endorsed David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive. Crowley officially relaunched his campaign for governor after suspending it just days earlier and endorsing Rodriguez.

The endorsement came as Democrats scramble to coalesce around a candidate ahead of the primary and as some in the party warn Hong would struggle to win a general election in a battleground state.

In an interview with ABC News, Crowley made clear his decision to reenter the race "has nothing to do" with his Democratic opponents but rather defeating "MAGA extremism" and Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, backed by President Donald Trump.

Hong, a 37-year-old service industry worker and single mother, pitches herself as the only candidate who can speak to working-class issues. She told ABC News her messaging often leads with the "[Green Bay] Packers, potholes a