{"id":2627779,"date":"2026-07-10T06:11:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T10:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-dsa-governor-francesca-hong-tests-whether-socialism-can-win-in-wisconsin\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T06:14:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T10:14:06","slug":"a-dsa-governor-francesca-hong-tests-whether-socialism-can-win-in-wisconsin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-dsa-governor-francesca-hong-tests-whether-socialism-can-win-in-wisconsin\/","title":{"rendered":"A DSA governor? Francesca Hong tests whether socialism can win in Wisconsin"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fa-dsa-governor-francesca-hong-tests-whether-socialism-can-win-in-wisconsin%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2627779&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Socialists are gaining momentum across the U.S., winning several primaries and targeting higher-profile races, including Wisconsin&#8217;s gubernatorial election. State Rep. Francesca Hong, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is a leading candidate in Wisconsin\u2019s Democratic primary, representing a significant push for socialism in a crucial swing state. Historically,wisconsin had strong socialist roots,and hong&#8217;s campaign emphasizes issues like affordability,healthcare,and labor protections,appealing to working-class voters. Her background as a former restaurant worker and single mother helps connect her with disillusioned voters.<\/p>\n<p>The campaign has seen rising support amid broader DSA successes in recent elections, and the organization has surpassed 120,000 members, making it the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fetterman-to-campaign-with-socialists-in-philly\/\" title=\"Fetterman To ... With ...s in Philly\">largest socialist group<\/a> in U.S.history. However, hong\u2019s candidacy also highlights ideological divides within the Democratic Party, especially given her past support for defunding and abolishing police, stance she continues to defend and explain. Her recent apology for calling police over a misleading image from an anti-Israel protest demonstrates her willingness to admit mistakes and adapt.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mcconnell-sounds-like-he-wants-to-abandon-a-ship-rick-scott-wants-to-captain\/\" title=\"McConnell Sounds Like He Wants To Abandon A Ship Rick Scott Wants To Captain\">race remains competitive<\/a>, with polls showing Hong leading or close behind her opponents. Her campaign plans to appeal not only to urban voters but also to suburban and rural voters, emphasizing policies like raising the minimum wage and reducing costs. The outcome of the August 11 primary coudl be a pivotal test for the influence of socialism in statewide elections, especially if Hong faces Republican incumbent Tom Tiffany, endorsed by Donald Trump, in the general election. The result will serve as an important indicator of the DSA&#8217;s impact beyond customary urban centers.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4624938\/over-30-socialists-won-primaries-2026-elections\/\">a string of victories<\/a> in Democratic primaries across the country, socialists are setting their sights on one of their <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/magazine-special-section\/4631209\/quarterly-briefing-dsa-winning-streak-biggest-test-swing-states\/\">most ambitious targets yet<\/a>: the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wisconsin\/\">Wisconsin<\/a> governor\u2019s mansion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">State Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/legis.wisconsin.gov\/assembly\/76\/hong\/\">Francesca Hong<\/a>, a Madison lawmaker backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, has emerged as a leading contender in Wisconsin\u2019s Democratic gubernatorial primary, giving the movement its first serious opportunity to nominate a socialist for governor in one of the nation\u2019s premier battleground states.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4643478\/victor-marx-wins-gop-primary-colorado-governor\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Victor Marx wins against establishment candidate in GOP primary for Colorado governor<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4642188\/democrat-ethics-complaint-ramaswamy\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrats file ethics complaint against Ramaswamy as race tightens<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4641242\/spencer-pratt-war-foundation-los-angeles-mayoral-defeat\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Spencer Pratt launches WAR Foundation after Los Angeles mayoral defeat<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hong\u2019s campaign comes as socialists and their allies ride an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/restoring-america\/equality-not-elitism\/4637137\/how-dsa-went-margins-to-mainstream\/\">unprecedented wave of momentum<\/a>. In recent weeks, DSA-backed candidates have won the Democratic mayoral primary in Washington, D.C., advanced to the mayoral runoff in Los Angeles, and claimed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4625810\/dsa-eyes-national-expansion-new-york-wins-democrats-brace-new-primary-fights\/\">several congressional primary victories in New York<\/a> with the backing of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Last week, DSA-backed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4632036\/melat-kiros-defeats-house-democrat-diana-degette-in-primary\/\">Melat Kiros <\/a>defeated longtime Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) in Colorado, one of the movement\u2019s biggest congressional upsets to date.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The heightened attention has translated into organizational growth as well. The DSA <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4634623\/democratic-socialists-of-america-breaks-membership-records\/\">announced this week<\/a> that it has surpassed 120,000 members, calling itself the largest socialist organization in U.S. history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s a great day to be a democratic socialist,\u201d Hong <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FrancescaHongWI\/status\/2069763805781836067?s=20\">posted<\/a> on X after the latest victories. \u201cWisconsin is next!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hong\u2019s campaign represents a significant escalation for the movement. Most recent DSA wins have come in deep-blue congressional districts or heavily Democratic cities. Wisconsin presents a far different challenge, with razor-thin statewide elections often decided by a small number of swing voters. The state has long been one of the nation\u2019s premier political battlegrounds, making the race an early test of whether socialism can expand beyond urban strongholds and compete statewide.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet, Hong\u2019s candidacy is also something of a throwback for Wisconsin. In the early 20th century, the state was known for its progressive bent and was even the home of the largest state-level socialist party in the country. The first socialist member of the U.S. House of Representatives was elected from Wisconsin in 1910. Milwaukee, the state\u2019s biggest city, had a socialist mayor as late as 1960.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hong\u2019s campaign argues Wisconsin\u2019s economic concerns make it well-suited for her message despite its status as a perennial swing state.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe issues at the heart of this campaign are issues impacting everyday working Americans: affordability, the cost of health care, the cost of housing, the cost of groceries,\u201d campaign communications director Allison Geyer told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cFran is such a relatable working-class candidate with a bold vision for transformative change. That\u2019s why we\u2019re seeing a broad coalition of support.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other Democrats seeking the nomination include former Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, and state Sen. Kelda Roys.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public polling suggests Hong has become one of the Democratic primary\u2019s leading candidates, though the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/desantis-criticizes-trump-for-not-fulfilling-promise-to-hold-hillary-clinton-accountable\/\" title=\"DeSantis slams Trump for failing to hold Clinton accountable.\">race remains highly competitive<\/a>. A Marquette University Law School <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/law.marquette.edu\/poll\/2026\/02\/25\/mlsp87-release\/\">poll<\/a> conducted in March found Hong leading the field with 14% support among voters who named a candidate, ahead of Barnes at 11%, though 65% remained undecided. A more recent Wedgewood Polls\/Isthmus Political Report <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1Sh_1fPXoKqGRpotw0cbxfwP5QygpqxjJ\/view\">survey<\/a> showed Hong narrowly ahead with 30%, followed by Barnes at 28% and Rodriguez at 19%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hong also finished near the top of the Wisconsin Democratic Party convention straw poll earlier this month, another sign that her campaign has gained traction among Democratic activists.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Geyer said the campaign believes its message can also resonate with the suburban, independent, and rural voters who often determine statewide elections in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe lead with the policies and the ideas,\u201d she said, arguing proposals such as raising the minimum wage and lowering costs are \u201cextremely popular policies that folks want to see enacted.\u201d She also pointed to the campaign\u2019s rural outreach efforts, saying Wisconsin voters reward candidates who offer \u201ca bold vision\u201d rather than incremental change.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hong, a former restaurant worker and single mother, has spoken openly about working as a dishwasher and line cook before entering politics. She\u2019s centered her campaign on lowering costs, expanding protections for organized labor, and making housing and healthcare more affordable. Hong argues her working-class background allows her to connect with voters who have become disillusioned with traditional Democratic politics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re reaching people that many Democrats have failed to reach, and that\u2019s working-class folks who don\u2019t want their lives to be dictated by politics. They just want to get by and do well,\u201d Hong <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/jacobin.com\/2026\/07\/hong-wisconsin-governor-election-dsa\">told<\/a> <em>Jacobin<\/em>, a print and online magazine that offers socialist, Marxist, and left-wing perspectives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPeople are tired of the status quo. They\u2019re tired of corporate greed and life getting so unaffordable, and they\u2019re ready to be represented by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/katie-porter-is-going-after-congressional-millionaires-financial-disclosures-show-shes-one-of-them\/\" title=\"Katie Porter Is Going After Congressional Millionaires. Financial Disclosures Show She\u2019s One Of Them.\">working-class champion<\/a> for working-class people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, Hong\u2019s candidacy has exposed ideological divisions inside the party and provided Republicans with early lines of attack.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before running for governor, Hong embraced calls to defund and abolish police following the 2020 protests in response to the death of George Floyd in police custody. She has largely stood by those remarks and said earlier this year that \u201cmy perfect world would be a world without prisons,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jsonline.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2026\/05\/29\/democrat-francesca-hong-speaks-about-an-ideal-world-without-prisons\/90258710007\/?gnt-cfr=1&#038;gca-cat=p&#038;gca-uir=true&#038;gca-epti=z1154xxp118550n00----l001250c00----e1154xxv005568d--53--b--53--&#038;gca-ft=150&#038;gca-ds=sophi\">according to<\/a> audio obtained by the <em>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Geyer said Hong has not backed away from those past statements and instead uses questions about them to explain what she views as a broader vision for public safety.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe didn\u2019t delete any tweets. She didn\u2019t back down,\u201d Geyer said. \u201cIt gives Fran the opportunity to talk about her vision for public safety in Wisconsin \u2026 moving resources to agencies that enact programs that actually reduce crime and increase public safety.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hong also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jsonline.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2026\/07\/07\/francesca-hong-says-she-regrets-911-calls-over-gaza-protest-display\/90773075007\/?gnt-cfr=1&#038;gca-cat=p&#038;gca-uir=true&#038;gca-epti=z11xx68p118650l119450c118650e1195xxv11xx68d--56--b--56--&#038;gca-ft=239&#038;gca-ds=sophi\">recently apologized<\/a> for calling the police in 2023 after viewing an image from an anti-Israel protest that some constituents believed was antisemitic. She later said the image circulating online had been misleadingly cropped and acknowledged that <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >contacting law enforcement conflicted<\/a> with her broader views on policing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Geyer said the episode demonstrated Hong\u2019s willingness to admit mistakes rather than retreat from difficult issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe\u2019s just such an honest and authentic person,\u201d Geyer said. \u201cShe apologized for that. She said she made a mistake and learned from it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4634623\/democratic-socialists-of-america-breaks-membership-records\/\"><strong>DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA BREAKS MEMBERSHIP RECORDS: \u2018LARGEST SOCIALIST ORGANIZATION IN UNITED STATES HISTORY\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whoever wins the Aug. 11 Democratic primary is expected to face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the DSA, the race has become more than a contest for the governor\u2019s office. If Hong secures the Democratic nomination, the general election would become the movement\u2019s biggest test yet of whether socialism can win statewide in one of the nation\u2019s premier battlegrounds. Coming just days after the DSA announced record membership, Hong\u2019s campaign is the movement\u2019s clearest opportunity yet to prove its growing influence can extend beyond blue cities and safely Democratic congressional districts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Socialists target Wisconsin governor race with Hong leading<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2627780,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26188430949966-e1783628391502.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[74849,63525,12428,44071],"class_list":["post-2627779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-dsa","tag-francesca-hong","tag-socialism","tag-wisconsin-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26188430949966-e1783628391502.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2627779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2627779"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2627779\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2627783,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2627779\/revisions\/2627783"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2627780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2627779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2627779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2627779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}