On Wednesday, Wisconsin State Assembly Representative Francesca Hong announced she will be running for the open governor’s seat next November.
Current Governor Tony Evers will be vacating his seat next November as he is looking to retire, leaving the seat open with no incumbent for the first time since 2010. Also, Evers has not and reportedly will not be endorsing a candidate.
Hong, 36, announced the start of her campaign on September 17th, where she joins the other 4 possible democratic candidates already in the field. However, Hong claims that she is a “wild card” from the other candidates and is looking to “change the conversation.”
Hong is currently one of the four members in the State Assembly who are members of the Socialist Caucus. In 2023, the democratic caucus was revived in 2023 by Reps. Ryan Clancy and Darrin Madison. The caucus is still what the AP calls, “a minority within a minority” existing in the Republican controlled legislature. (RELATED: Justice Rebecca Bradley Will Not Seek Reelection to Wisconsin Supreme Court)
Hong got headlines in 2020 for making a tweet using the C-word in reference to the Wisconsin Tavern League. In the tweet, she slams the League for not being in the interest of the restaurants and bars. She has also been known to drop the F-bomb on things such as sports, GOP legislation, and the President. Justifying her foul language saying she “curses because I care.” (RELATED: Democrats are in Decline, Plummeting Party Registrations Show)
In the legislature, Hong has been a vocal protestor against the support of Israel and the call for a ceasefire in Gaza. According to her website, Hong is running on the platform of guaranteeing abortion rights and expanding the State-funded health insurance program.
Hong will be competing against a crowded Democratic field. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and State Senator Kelda Roys will all be competing in next August’s primaries.
