The left is fully backing Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates in solidly blue areas, yet the movement’s key figures remain quiet in a genuine battleground state.
Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong is just one election away from potentially becoming the first Democratic socialist governor in U.S. history in a state that President Donald Trump won in 2024. Despite the buzz surrounding her candidacy for 2026, many prominent elected officials from her camp seem uninterested in supporting her. This hesitance, whether deliberate or just indifferent, might expose the limitations of the current socialist momentum in the country.
After New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s victory, far-left organizers ramped up efforts, triggering similar waves in other liberal urban areas. Various DSA candidates have successfully won primaries in deep-blue regions, fueling a belief among the base that the party is making a long-term shift to the left.
Indeed, socialism seems to be gaining traction in the U.S. These candidates are channeling the lingering anti-establishment sentiment that emerged during the Trump era, capturing the frustrations of younger voters and the working class grappling with inflation and stagnant wages. But Wisconsin presents a challenge; it’s a true purple state where election margins can be narrow. If Hong secures the nomination, it will shed light on whether the DSA has an electability issue with swing voters.
The left is keenly observing Hong’s race as a potential precursor to 2028 presidential aspirations and a test of whether their politics can resonate beyond traditional coastal strongholds. Alan Minsky, Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America, suggested Hong’s potential win could mirror Mamdani’s triumph, claiming voters will respond positively.
While Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna have shown support through appearances or endorsements, Hong’s biggest hurdle seems to be her unpopularity even with some of the party’s more fervent supporters.
Notably, well-known figures like Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren seem to be steering clear of her campaign. Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have not offered endorsements, and Warren has infamously claimed she doesn’t know who Hong is.
The specifics behind their reluctance aren’t entirely clear. Hong endorses key policies they advocate for, like universal childcare and a $20 minimum wage, and has gained the DSA’s backing. Interestingly, a poll by Marquette Law School indicated she holds a double-digit lead over her main Democratic rival as primary voting approaches, thanks to a solid grassroots volunteer network bolstered by support from left-wing media personalities.
This should be the type of candidate that the post-Mamdani left embraces. Yet, significant movement figures remain distant. Reports suggest that Sanders, while remaining non-committal on an endorsement, has reservations about Hong’s messaging and overall preparedness compared to candidates he has supported before. There’s a feeling he might still be stinging from his endorsement for a candidate who didn’t make it in Maine.
Ocasio-Cortez has taken a strategic approach too. Although she declines to endorse Hong, she claims her focus is solely on gaining back control of Congress. Then there’s Warren, whose dismissive comment about not knowing Hong feels particularly ironic given her history of supporting similar leftist ideals.
There are clear reasons behind their withdrawal. Past statements from Hong on social media have resurfaced, compelling her to take back some views. She had made headlines for suggesting the cancellation of Thanksgiving due to its colonial roots but later walked that back, calling it a bad take. Furthermore, her past comments on holidays like Valentine’s Day and positions on police and prison abolition are polarizing, to say the least. She now asserts that she no longer supports defunding the police, even though she initially favored a significant paradigm shift away from traditional law enforcement.
In a state decided by slim margins in previous elections, Hong’s perspectives may come off as too extreme for moderates. A Marquette poll from July found that the term “democratic socialism” had a net negative perception among registered voters.
This doesn’t mean that Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, and Warren don’t believe in the ideas Hong supports. They have all publicly advocated similar positions before. Their choice to stay out of Hong’s campaign seems more about risk management concerning their broader political brand. Hong presents a challenge; her potential loss could damage their plans and provide a direct example that democratic socialism might not resonate well outside the highly liberal areas.
If Hong’s candidacy becomes a measure of Ocasio-Cortez’s viability for the presidency, supporting her only to see her fail may be viewed as politically hazardous. Thus, they are reluctant to back a candidate who could shape the narrative for the next political cycle.
Democratic socialism is gaining ground where the electorate leans more left. However, it hasn’t yet proven its ability to appeal effectively in swing states that influence presidential elections. Hong’s campaign forces them to confront the reality of whether voters are ready to embrace the far-left agenda. For now, Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, and Warren signal their intrigue in DSA’s grassroots energy while keeping a deliberate distance from candidates who challenge the viability of socialist policies in mixed political environments.
