Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidate’s Controversial Stance on Police Funding
A Democratic Socialist is in the race for governor of Wisconsin and has made headlines for her past remarks on police funding, notably advocating for “defunding and then abolishing” police departments.
Representative Francesca Hong has shared several posts on social media expressing her views on law enforcement, particularly in light of events like George Floyd’s death and Jacob Blake’s shooting, both of which occurred during her term in Congress.
In an August 2020 post, she stated, “I support defunding the police as a first step toward abolishing the police,” as reported by CNN.
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In her comments, Hong referenced Blake’s tragic situation, highlighting, “Jacob Blake is fighting for his life and he doesn’t have to.” She emphasized the need for justice for those impacted by state-sanctioned violence.
Blake was shot multiple times by police in Kenosha, which led to widespread protests and left him paralyzed. During the confrontation, he dropped a pocket knife but managed to retrieve it before being shot.
In October 2021, Hong responded to the decision not to charge the officer involved in Blake’s shooting, questioning how seven bullets in the back could be deemed non-excessive force. “Police exist to protect white supremacy. Defund and abolish. Reform is not an option,” she declared, expressing her sympathy for the continuing trauma affecting Blake’s community.
However, in a later statement to FOX News Digital, Hong seemed to distance herself from her earlier comments, not clarifying whether she would push for defunding or abolishing police departments if elected. “We cannot reduce public safety resources,” she mentioned, noting her dislike for crime and unsafe environments while also criticizing police misconduct.
Candidates and Primary Dynamics
As she campaigns for the Democratic nomination, Hong has the backing of notable politicians like Representatives Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna. There’s a competitive primary race shaping up ahead of the August 11 election, and she is vying against former lieutenant governor Mandela Burns, who also ran for Senate in 2022.
The eventual nominee will likely face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who labeled both Democratic candidates as radicals prioritizing criminal protection over public safety. He pointed out Burn’s past proposal to lower prison populations and criticized Hong’s stance on police abolition.
As the primary approaches, the debate over police funding and public safety remains a contentious issue, integral to the candidates’ platforms and the broader political landscape in Wisconsin.
