Francesca Hong poised for victory in Wisconsin Democratic primary

Democratic Socialist State Representative Francesca Hong is on the verge of winning the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, a result that would underscore the influence of the pro-Palestinian progressive wing in a key Midwestern battleground state. A poll conducted by the non-partisan outlet State Navigate one week before the vote showed Hong with 44% support among likely voters, doubling the support for her closest rival, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Notably, only 17% of respondents identified as Democratic Socialists, suggesting Hong has expanded her base by focusing on issues such as working-class families, healthcare, and data centres. Marquette Law School polls, considered highly reliable in Wisconsin, have also consistently shown Hong with a substantial lead. The race shifted significantly following the withdrawal of Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez—who was backed by Crowley and establishment Democrats—due to an accounting scandal. Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes also exited the race after failing to secure sufficient support. The field has narrowed to four candidates, with Crowley re-entering the race after a brief suspension of his campaign. Hong’s positions on Israel and antisemitism have caused alarm among Jewish groups in Wisconsin. She has appeared at online fundraising events with Hasan Piker, a prominent left-wing critic of Israel, and twice participated in programmes with Michael 'Mike from PA' Beyer, who has previously described Jewish identity as a 'fabricated and completely invented ethnicity.' During one such appearance, Hong urged viewers to donate to those on the 'front lines of Gaza.' Hong also issued an apology after contacting police regarding a damaged Israeli flag in her district in December 2023. At the time, she labelled the act 'deeply antisemitic' and requested it be investigated as a hate crime. Hong later told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the image had been 'cropped and distorted to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism,' a distinction she stated is important to her. While a Wisconsin governor has limited influence over US foreign policy, Hong has described the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'genocidal' and has called for the repeal of a state ban on government contracts with companies that boycott Israel. She has also criticised the current moderate governor for supporting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. Hong’s viability in a general election may depend on how voters perceive the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Megan Romer, a co-chair of the organisation, recently described the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel as 'largely inevitable' in a New Yorker podcast, adding that she would likely have attended a pro-Palestinian rally in New York the following day. Conversely, Hong’s campaign showed support for Jewish causes prior to 7 October. In January 2023, her campaign sold T-shirts featuring Hebrew text, with proceeds donated to Jewish Social Services of Madison. At the time, the campaign highlighted the team's commitment to 'strengthening multiculturalism' and praised the symbolic importance of the number 18 in Hebrew and the phrase 'L'chaim.'