Hong makes final pitch to voters amid scrutiny of past comments on police, Thanksgiving

Campaign Hong makes final pitch to voters amid scrutiny of past comments on police, Thanksgiving Comments: by Max Rego - 08/11/26 2:36 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Max Rego - 08/11/26 2:36 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Democratic socialist Francesca Hong delivered her closing pitch to voters on Tuesday, hours before polls close in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary.

Hong, who leads the Democratic field in recent polling, said her platform focuses on “solutions for working class people” and will deliver “permanent affordability” in the state.

“A government that puts people first,” Hong said of her vision, after casting her ballot. “Where we have our local governments funded. They can fix potholes. They can make sure that we have great schools.”

As for whether her proposals would lead to “communism,” Hong denied that.

“This is a state where we still have a $2.33 tip minimum wage and [a] $7.25… minimum wage,” she told NewsNation’s Mills Hayes. “I think it’s going to be pretty hard to turn that into socialism soon.

“But what we can do with this campaign is make sure that we’re fighting for the policies that put working class people first, and we’re fighting for a $20 minimum wage.”

Republicans and some Democrats have criticized Hong for her past comments in support of defunding the police and her 2021 call to “cancel Thanksgiving.” Last month, the state assemblywoman noted she would not be able to defund the police as governor.

“The governor cannot defund the police, and I won’t defund the police,” she told host Dana Perino on Fox News’s “Americas’ Newsroom.” “But I will invest in the things we know prevent crime. … We have to be tough on causes if we want to prevent crime.”

On Tuesday, Hong pivoted to attacking Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisc.), the likely GOP nominee. Hong argued Tiffany’s views are “extreme,” blasting the lawmaker for his support of President Trump and the Iran war.

“What’s extreme is that he has voted to help raise gas prices and make life harder for Wisconsinites,” Hong said of Tiffany. “I think what [the] people of our state are ready for, the good people of Wisconsin are ready for a government that actually puts them first, not Trump.”

If she wins Tuesday’s primary, Hong said she would hope to campaign with Democratic leaders “who see the future for the party as bright” in her state.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) has endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the Democratic primary, and multiple progressive lawmakers have shied away from backing Hong.

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