Francesca Hong Navigates Lack of Endorsements

Francesca Hong, the socialist candidate for governor in Wisconsin, skirted questions regarding the absence of endorsements from prominent figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. When a reporter inquired about their lack of support, she chose to highlight her respect for both politicians instead of answering directly.

“I have a lot of respect for our senators and congressmen. They are working tirelessly to flip Congress and the Senate so that we can win the midterm elections for Democrats. I look forward to talking to them about that as well,” she commented.

When pressed further on whether the missing endorsements indicated a lack of confidence in her ability to win in important states, Hong emphasized that her campaign was unique, as it was a gubernatorial race rather than a federal one.

“As you know, a gubernatorial election is different than a federal election. I think we’re focused on making sure we reach every voter that we can until the polls close. That’s what we’re focused on right now,” she reiterated, still not addressing the initial question.

This absence of endorsement ties into broader concerns among Democrats about distancing themselves from established leftist elements as midterm elections approach. According to reports, there are efforts by Wisconsin’s establishment Democrats to thwart Hong in the primaries, although a recent State Navigate poll shows her leading with significant support.

Hong has generated attention for her outspoken views, including controversial remarks about American holidays. At one point, she suggested eliminating Thanksgiving altogether.

In a 2019 post, she expressed frustration about her work environment, stating, “An IT buddy who was working on ‘our’ computer remotely changed the background theme to snow and Christmas trees. I feel a bit attacked…”

Furthermore, in a now-deleted 2020 post, she called for Thanksgiving to be canceled, revealing her distaste for what she sees as commodified celebrations.

“I miss working in a restaurant every day… except for VDay,” she shared in a post, adding that those working in service often go unrecognized for their efforts.

Hong also recounted an anxiety-inducing experience at a fast food restaurant, noting discomfort among the patrons. She described, “I had two bites of my kid’s cheeseburger at Culver’s in Black River Falls… I was on the verge of having an anxiety attack and mostly just wanted to leave.”

As these discussions unfold, Ocasio-Cortez is striving to distance herself from Hong’s more radical past positions, emphasizing different aspects of policy discussions in an attempt to reshape perceptions.

“I think Overton’s window has opened wide during this time, especially during the coronavirus,” she remarked, suggesting that the crisis created an opportunity for more progressive policies to be considered.

“And I appreciate the opportunity for these candidates to show voters who they are and what they are campaigning for at this time,” she concluded, reflecting on the current political landscape.