Francesca Hong draws criticism over resurfaced 'Cancel Thanksgiving' post and socialist views in Wisconsin governor race

State Assemblywoman Francesca Hong is the leading candidate in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, with polls showing her ahead of the August 11 primary. Her campaign has come under intense scrutiny after a deleted 2020 social‑media post resurfaced in which she wrote, “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621,” and linked the holiday to colonialism. The post has been widely mocked and used by Republican opponent Rep. Tom Tiffany to portray her as radical.

Hong, a self‑identified democratic socialist and member of the Socialist Caucus, has also faced criticism for past statements supporting the abolition of ICE, defunding the police, and other elements of the Democratic Socialists of America platform. She has repeatedly said she does not endorse the full DSA platform and will not pursue police defunding as governor. In addition, she disclosed a past bipolar disorder diagnosis and a lithium overdose, citing personal experience to advocate for mental‑health awareness.

The race has seen other Democratic contenders withdraw, including former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, leaving Hong as the clear frontrunner to face Tiffany in the November general election.