The real-life, offline campaign of Francesca Hong

August 10, 2026

Wisconsin State Representative Francesca Hong, a 37-year-old democratic socialist and daughter of Korean immigrants, has emerged as the front-runner in the Democratic gubernatorial primary after being initially dismissed as a long-shot candidate. If successful in both the primary and general election, she would make history as Wisconsin's first woman governor, first Asian-American governor, and the first Asian-American woman elected governor in the United States. Her grassroots campaign focuses heavily on progressive policy proposals including a $20 minimum wage, universal childcare, and a moratorium on data center construction, while she works to distance herself from controversial past social media posts about defunding police and abolishing prisons.

Who is affected

**Francesca Hong** - Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor
**Hong's parents** - Korean immigrants who chose Wisconsin
**Democratic voters in Wisconsin** - particularly progressives energized by her campaign
**Hmong Americans in Wisconsin** - approximately 60,000 residents who could influence election results
**Members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin** - tribal communities Hong is courting
**Asian-American communities** - who would see historic representation
**Rep. Tom Tiffany** - likely Republican opponent
**Gov. Tony Evers** - current Democratic governor who has criticized Hong's campaign approach
**Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley** - recruited by Evers to rejoin the race
**Rep. Ilhan Omar** - national surrogate supporting Hong
**Christopher Peguero and his family** - Hong supporters with a transgender child affected by federal healthcare cuts
**Wisconsin voters broadly** - facing a choice between candidates "on opposite ends of the spectrum"

What action is being taken

**Hong is traveling the state** to talk policy and meet with voters in Milwaukee and northern Wisconsin
**Hong is meeting with leaders** in the Menominee Indian Tribe and Hmong community
**Hong is clarifying and distancing herself** from controversial past social media posts
**Hong is sharpening her attacks** on Republicans and Tom Tiffany
**Tiffany is attacking Hong** as extreme and out of step with voters
**Hong's campaign is planning to release new videos** showing who she is as a small business owner and single mom
**Republicans are making Hong's old posts** a major line of attack in the general election
**Politicians from both parties are gathering** at events like the Hmong Festival to shake hands and speak to voters

Why it matters

This race represents a significant test of whether a progressive democratic socialist can win a gubernatorial election in a purple swing state that Donald Trump won twice. The matchup could be historically consequential, potentially resulting in the first woman governor of Wisconsin, the state's first Asian-American governor, and the first Asian-American woman elected governor anywhere in the United States. The outcome will demonstrate whether grassroots, policy-focused progressive campaigns can succeed in battleground states with deeply divided political climates, and whether voters in communities like Wisconsin's Hmong population and tribal nations can be mobilized as critical parts of a winning coalition. The race also reflects broader national tensions about how far left Democrats can go while remaining competitive, particularly regarding issues like democratic socialism, police funding, and economic policy, making it a bellwether for the party's direction in swing states.

What's next

**The Democratic primary election** is approaching with fewer than 90 days before November 3
**Hong plans to introduce herself to voters** and win over skeptics in the final stretch
**New campaign videos will come out** showing Hong as a small business owner, single mom, and Wisconsin native
**Republicans plan nonstop ads** attacking Hong throughout the general election campaign
**The general election** will take place on November 3 between Hong and likely GOP nominee Tom Tiffany

Read full article from source: The 19th