Socialist Surge in Wisconsin Primary and the Establishment’s Response

Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker discusses the high-stakes Democratic primary in Wisconsin, where establishment candidates face off against DSA-backed Francesca Hong. Walker, alongside host Harris Faulkner, evaluates Hong’s progressive policies and her controversial social media posts. They also explore New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s efforts to distance her party from radical stances.

A socialist candidate for governor in Wisconsin, with a history of controversial online posts, once referred to America as “an abundance of suffering.” Francesca Hong, a state Representative, shared her vision for America in a January 20, 2022, post on platform X, stating, “I want this country to stop being an abundance of suffering but a wealth of opportunity.” She urged for equal rights and representation for Black and Brown individuals.

Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621,” Hong wrote in a deleted post, criticizing colonial celebrations.

The former chef and mother is now a contender for the Democratic nomination for governor. She represents a series of socialists aiming for statewide or federal positions, posing a challenge to establishment Democrats. In past posts, Hong expressed discomfort around White people and discussed defunding the police after the 2020 shooting of Jacob Blake, highlighting systemic issues in policing.

During a campaign rally, Hong appeared with Rep. Ilhan Omar and influencer Hasan Piker, yet her stance on police reform remains scrutinized. Her team maintained her aspirational goal of police abolition, akin to eradicating disease or poverty.

Hong acknowledged the governor’s lack of power to defund police and deemed her past tweets as expressions of personal feelings shared in the moment. She emphasized a focus on voter concerns, dismissing scrutiny over her posts, and expressed her early interest in sports journalism.

While Hong’s campaign did not comment on the recent concerns dug up by Fox News, she remains a central figure in the primary race.