Friends Like These

Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, a self-described democratic socialist, faced scrutiny over her associations and policy positions during a campaign rally attended by controversial figures earlier this month. The event, held over the weekend, featured Hong campaigning alongside streamer Hasan Piker, known for advocating the expulsion of non-socialists from the Democratic Party, and Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who previously claimed Israel had "hypnotized" the world. The rally occurred amid growing attention on Hong, who leads the pack in the August 11 primary against Republican Tom Tiffany in the November general election. Hong, a 37-year-old chef and bartender, has positioned herself as a progressive alternative to more centrist Democrats. Her campaign includes a range of policy proposals such as universal taxpayer-funded childcare, funding schools through taxes on the wealthy, rolling back school vouchers, expanding Medicaid, establishing a public health insurance option, reducing private insurance premiums, cracking down on claim denial processes, and recognizing gender-affirming care as medically necessary. She also plans to create a public bank to support disadvantaged business owners and, at the federal level, abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and prosecute its agents. Her website highlights concerns about income inequality, noting that the lowest-earning 20% of Wisconsin households pay over 10% of their income in state and local taxes, while those earning over $1.3 million pay only 6.6%. However, critics argue that this disparity reflects the nature of consumption-based taxes rather than an inherent unfairness in the income tax system. They emphasize that taxation should focus on meeting government revenue needs with minimal economic disruption, rather than targeting high earners. Hong clarified in a recent debate that she does not fully endorse the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) platform and is not endorsed by DSA National. She stated she is "not here to govern by slogan," despite her campaign materials containing what some might consider slogan-like language. When questioned about her past support for defunding the police, Hong suggested she has evolved politically, emphasizing her commitment to public safety as a governor. During an interview with NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt on “The Hill Sunday,” Hong criticized the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour as radical, along with other policies she believes fail to meet the needs of Wisconsin residents. She also pointed out that Republican candidate Tom Tiffany is an "election denier" and highlighted the lack of healthcare access in parts of the state. Recent polling indicates Hong holds a double-digit lead in the Democratic primary for governor. According to a Marquette University Law School poll, Hong received 38 percent support, significantly ahead of former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, who secured 16 percent, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who got 7 percent. Hong joins a wave of progressive candidates who have challenged and succeeded against more establishment figures in Democratic primaries, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The campaign trail for Hong continues to draw attention, particularly due to her alignment with other prominent democratic socialists. As the August primary approaches, the outcome could shape the broader landscape of the 2026 midterm elections, especially given the significance of the Wisconsin governor’s race. The response from Tiffany’s campaign to Hong’s criticisms remains pending.