Republican Strategy Targets Democratic Candidate in Wisconsin Governor Race

Republicans seem to view Francesca Hong as their weakest opponent in a general election. They are spending $2.2 million in an apparent attempt to aid her primary campaign.

Some Democrats have concerns that state Representative Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist with strong left-wing views, might win her primary and then hand the governor’s mansion to Republicans.

A super PAC linked to Republicans is investing $2.2 million in TV ads aimed at boosting Francesca Hong, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin. Democrats in the state worry that Hong, known for her decidedly left-wing views in this politically balanced state, might advance from the crowded August primary. This could facilitate a win for Republican Representative Tom Tiffany, the likely nominee, in November.

The Republican perspective aligns. The PAC, Right Direction Wisconsin, affiliated with the Republican Governors Association, has launched an ad about Hong. The 30-second commercial begins broadcasting Thursday in liberal areas like Madison and Milwaukee. It criticizes Hong for her liberal stance, likely as a tactic to appeal to Democratic primary voters.

Both parties have used these misleading tactics in opposing party primaries nationwide this year, attempting to boost candidates they see as weak in general elections.

Joe Zepecki, a Democratic strategist in Wisconsin not supporting any primary candidate, denounced the Republican effort as a ‘pathetic’ attempt to hide the party’s own problems with state voters. He suggested, ‘Every Democratic campaign for governor — including Hong’s — should call this out for what it is: A sneaky, underhanded, blatant attempt to meddle in the democratic process.’