Francesca Hong’s Past Posts Resurface as Wisconsin Gubernatorial Primary Heats Up

Front-runner Francesca Hong, the Democratic socialist leading Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary, addressed a 2019 tweet in which she said she “nearly had an anxiety attack” at a Culver’s because of “old white people.” Hong called the post “a silly tweet” and emphasized that it does not reflect how she views voters. Hong stressed she will not defund the police and will not cooperate with ICE, asserting she will use the governor’s full authority to protect all Wisconsinites.

Newsweek

Recent surveys show Hong maintaining a sizable lead. A State Navigate poll conducted July 23 to July 26 found Hong at 44 % support, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley at 15 %, and former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes at 14 %, with 13 % undecided. A Marquette University Law School poll from late July placed Hong at 38 % among Democratic primary voters, Barnes at 16 %, and Crowley at 7 %; the poll surveyed 407 registered voters with a ±6.6 percentage-point margin of error. The State Navigate poll surveyed 1,085 likely voters with a ±3 percentage-point margin of error. Hong’s campaign reports more than 300 statewide events and nearly 50,000 miles traveled.

Newsweek

• “That’s how I was feeling and tweeting about a feeling that happened years ago doesn’t mean that that is how I view all people.” — Francesca Hong, front-runner for the Democratic nomination for governor of Wisconsin “That's how I was feeling and tweeting about a feeling that happened years ago doesn't mean that that is how I view all people,” — Francesca Hong, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for governor of Wisconsin

Newsweek

• “I think that this means that the people are supporting a progressive candidate because of the issues that he is running on, that more and more folks support Medicare for All, lowering costs, raising wages.” — Francesca Hong, front-runner for the Democratic nomination for governor of Wisconsin “I think that this means that the people are supporting a progressive candidate because of the issues that he is running on, that more and more folks support Medicare for All, lowering costs, raising wages,” — Francesca Hong, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for governor of Wisconsin

Newsweek

Republican Governors Association communications director Kollin Compton labeled Hong “the Mamdani of the Midwest,” while U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany warned voters they could still celebrate Thanksgiving under a Republican governor. Former Obama adviser David Axelrod wrote that many observers might conclude the party would lose Wisconsin if Hong becomes the nominee. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley argued that Democrats risk nominating a candidate lacking the experience and coalition needed to win a statewide general election.

Newsweek

Wisconsin, which backed President Donald Trump by less than one percentage point in 2024, is expected to host one of the most competitive gubernatorial contests of the 2026 midterms. Hong’s ability to navigate controversy over past social-media remarks while maintaining a progressive platform could shape the Democratic Party’s prospects in a pivotal swing state.

Newsweek