Wisconsin candidate Hong expresses regret over Thanksgiving interview
Francesca Hong, a former democratic socialist candidate in Wisconsin's gubernatorial race, said she regrets a CNN interview in which she expressed support for ending Thanksgiving. She told WISN that she never actually planned to cancel the holiday and that she enjoys celebrating holidays, after old social media posts resurfaced before the Democratic primary. Hong narrowly lost the primary to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the race to replace retiring Gov. Tony Evers.
Before the Democratic primary, Hong’s old social media posts resurfaced in which she advocated ending Thanksgiving and referenced 1621. She defended those remarks on CNN, then later told Politico she loved the holiday and told The Hill her original comments could have been joking. In her WISN interview, she said she wished she had emphasized her Wisconsin roots more, citing Packer games, Culver’s and community needs.
Hong lost the primary to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley by more than 3,000 votes, despite July polling that showed her nearly 25 points ahead. The result was described as a setback for the democratic socialist movement and a boost for moderate Democrats before the 2026 midterms.
The episode may shape how voters and parties weigh candidates’ past statements and media performances, especially in competitive primaries. It could affect democratic socialist organizers seeking broader appeal, while moderate Democrats may cite the outcome as evidence that centrist messaging can win. Wisconsin voters might see more scrutiny of holiday-related or cultural comments, though the long-term effect remains uncertain.