Wisconsin Primary Highlights Socialist Surge Amid Establishment Democrat Tensions

The Democratic primary in Wisconsin is attracting significant attention as former Governor Scott Walker examines the intense contest between establishment Democrats and Francesca Hong, a candidate supported by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Hong, a Wisconsin state representative, has drawn scrutiny for her progressive views and past statements on social media, including a controversial post about ‘canceling Thanksgiving.’ These factors are pivotal as New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attempts to differentiate her party from extreme ‘woke’ positions.

Hong’s candidacy places her at the center of debates surrounding socialist ideologies within the Democratic Party. An examination of her online presence reveals previous comments where she described America as “an abundance of suffering.” In a January 20, 2022, post on platform X, Hong wrote, “I want this country to stop being an abundance of suffering but a wealth of opportunity.” She emphasized the importance of providing equal rights to Black and Brown individuals and electing more representatives from these communities who could push for change.

Hong’s campaign has faced numerous challenges due to her outspoken history. One example includes a deleted post where she suggested ending the celebration of Thanksgiving, citing colonialism and its historical impact on indigenous populations. Despite such controversies, Hong, a former chef and mother, is vigorously campaigning for the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin’s governorship, joining a wave of socialist candidates in current primary elections.

In 2019, Hong shared her anxiety being around older White individuals, a comment crafted from a personal experience shared on social media. During 2021, following no charges being filed for the widely publicized shooting of Jacob Blake, Hong demanded the abolition of the police in her social media commentary. Her stance reflected a broader call within some left-wing circles for policing system reforms.

Although Hong’s team acknowledged her aspirations do not include the defunding of police by gubernatorial means, they clarified her belief systems align with long-term goals of systemic abolishment, akin to achieving global health or poverty eradication. The focus on her past rhetoric seems not to have shifted her core values, though her approach to discussing these topics may have evolved.

During interviews, Hong downplayed her prior comments, explaining experiences from her college days as a sports journalism aspirant. She stressed the importance of discussions on issues voters currently care about, disengaging from scrutiny during the election period. Further, Hong’s team refrained from commenting on recent revelations by Fox News Digital concerning other social media posts.