In a twist that could only be described as 'the political equivalent of a plot twist in a telenovela,' David Crowley, the more centrist candidate, is projected to have won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, according to CBS News. This surprise comeback dents the winning streak of the party's left wing, which had been on a roll like a snowball gathering momentum - until it hit a centrist bump.

Crowley, the CEO of Milwaukee County, edged out Francesca Hong by less than half a percentage point with almost all votes counted. He briefly dropped his bid last month to support a rival, then re-entered with the backing of Governor Tony Evers, and somehow managed to overcome a double-digit polling deficit. By early Wednesday, he was on X, declaring it was time to 'get to work' - presumably on making life more affordable, strengthening schools, creating good-paying jobs, and ensuring opportunity reaches every corner of the state, as he reiterated.

His November opponent will be Tom Tiffany, a US congressman backed by President Donald Trump, who won the Republican primary easily. Tiffany is running on lowering taxes, supporting farmers, and improving healthcare - basically the GOP's greatest hits.

The left wing, however, wasn't completely shut out. In Minnesota, Peggy Flanagan secured the Democratic Senate nomination, defeating centrist Angie Craig. In Connecticut, Luke Bronin unseated 14-term incumbent John Larson, continuing the trend of challengers ousting long-term incumbents. And in South Carolina, Darline Graham Nordone advanced to a runoff in the Republican primary for the Senate seat left vacant by her brother, Lindsey Graham's, death - she'll face Democrat Annie Andrews.

Hong, a state assemblywoman, single mother, and former chef, was considered the frontrunner and aimed to become the state's first democratic socialist governor. However, her past comments on police funding and Thanksgiving raised eyebrows, and she walked some back. Notably, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who usually endorse insurgents like her, stayed out of this race. Hong conceded, with her campaign manager saying she was 'proud of the race we ran.'

Her defeat ends a series of left-wing primary victories, many backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), who've gained traction by challenging both Republican policies and the Democratic status quo, including calls to end or curtail US funding to Israel over its Gaza operations. Examples include Abdul El-Sayed's win in Michigan's Senate primary last week, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's endorsed trio of progressives winning House primaries in June.

These races are harbingers of the closely fought November midterms, with implications for Congress control. Will the left wing bounce back, or is this a sign of centrist resurgence? Stay tuned for the next episode of 'As the Political World Turns.'