AOC Declines Endorsement of Wisconsin Gov. Candidate Francesca Hong, Cites Shift from “Woke 1” Era

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) told ABC’s *This Week* she has not endorsed Francesca Hong in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary and will focus on congressional races. She said voters should be judged on their current positions rather than statements made during the COVID-19 “Woke 1” period. Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), leads the primary with a double-digit polling advantage ahead of the August vote.

New York Post

In 2021 Hong advocated for abolishing prisons, defunding the police and canceling Thanksgiving—positions tied to the “Woke 1” rhetoric that surfaced during pandemic lockdowns. She now says she no longer supports canceling Thanksgiving and has moderated her stance on policing. The DSA’s national platform still calls for police abolition; AOC clarified she belongs only to the New York City chapter and does not endorse every national proposal.

The Hill

• Primary polling: Hong holds a double-digit lead over Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

Newsweek

• DSA favorability: A Marquette Law School poll (July 22-29) found the DSA’s net favorability at –30 points, with 24 % favorable and 54 % unfavorable; among independents, 13 % favorable vs. 46 % unfavorable.

Newsweek

Hong issued a statement saying she no longer seeks to cancel Thanksgiving and is reassessing her views on policing. The DSA’s platform continues to call for police abolition, a stance AOC does not personally support.

New York Post

Sources differ on AOC’s affiliation with the DSA: some note her long-time endorsement by the organization, while others point to her current membership only in the New York City chapter. No source provides a timeline for when Hong will formally update her campaign platform.

Fox News (website)

• “I haven’t endorsed in that race. My focus has been in winning back the Congress, winning back the House and positioning ourselves to have the best chance possible to win the Senate,” — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The Hill

• “I think that a lot of these races, even right now, they’ll have a tendency to be nationalized. But these races ultimately are local, and all politics are local. My understanding is that Francesca Hong has made clear her presence in her election,” — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The Hill

The Wisconsin Democratic primary is scheduled for August. Both Hong and the DSA are expected to clarify their positions on policing and other “Woke 1” issues before voters head to the polls.

New York Post