Thanksgiving Debate: Wisconsin Politics in Spotlight

Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Devin Remiker faced questions about Thanksgiving on Tuesday after Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist running for governor, rescinded her earlier remarks about canceling the holiday. CNN host John Berman questioned Remiker on his views about Thanksgiving.

I love Thanksgiving, stated Remiker. I even host a Friendsgiving every year, so I do Thanksgiving twice. He added humorously that Tom Tiffany might struggle with Thanksgiving, relating sweet potatoes to the president’s spray tan, a jab at Tiffany losing the governor’s race.

Berman further asked how bothersome it was to repeatedly address Thanksgiving-related inquiries due to Hong’s earlier controversial comments. Remiker welcomed these discussions as opportunities to highlight the economic issues influenced by Rep. Tom Tiffany, claiming he would increase the holiday’s cost for Wisconsinites by driving up grocery and gas prices.

Berman acknowledged Remiker’s effort in his responses. Meanwhile, Hong is one of seven Democrats in the gubernatorial primary, facing competition including Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican, opposes Andy Manske in the primary.

A spokesperson for Tiffany’s campaign criticized the Wisconsin Democratic Party’s support for Hong, labeling her a socialist advocate for high taxes and policy changes like abolishing the police and prisons. The spokesperson contrasted this with Tiffany’s focus on affordability, safety, and job creation in Wisconsin.

Hong, in a recent interview, clarified her stance, naming Thanksgiving as her favorite holiday, reversing her 2020 position. She admitted humor about it in a Politico Playbook interview and addressed backlash from an earlier deleted post comparing the pandemic with Thanksgiving, where she humorously suggested canceling the holiday.