Democratic socialist Francesca Hong tests how far left voters will go in battleground Wisconsin

By — Scott Bauer, Associated Press Scott Bauer, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democratic-socialist-francesca-hong-tests-how-far-left-voters-will-go-in-battleground-wisconsin Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Democratic socialist Francesca Hong tests how far left voters will go in battleground Wisconsin Politics Jul 9, 2026 4:13 PM EDT MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Over the last month, Democratic socialists have notched victories in the liberal strongholds of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Denver. WATCH: Progressives notch more primary victories in potential bellwether for midterms Now Francesca Hong, a single mother who has worked as a dishwasher and line cook, is trying to do the same with her campaign for governor in Wisconsin, a swing state known for razor-thin election margins where winning over moderate, independent voters is crucial. Hong's candidacy has turned the Democratic primary on Aug. 11 into the latest test of just how far left voters are willing to go in the November midterms. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. "We do this in Wisconsin, we're going to change politics across the country," the 37-year-old Hong said as she headed into the final month of campaigning. "People who are frustrated and have a lot more to lose — and I'm one of those people — are ready to coalesce around someone they can believe in." John Ravdabaugh, an undecided independent voter, came away impressed after hearing Hong speak at the retirement home where he lives. Even though the democratic socialist label concerns him, Ravdabaugh said he would consider voting for Hong. "Every system reaches a point where change is necessary," he said. Whoever wins the primary will advance to almost certainly face Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, one of the most conservative members of the House, who has President Donald Trump's endorsement. Tiffany has only token opposition in the primary. The governor's race is integral to Democrats' hopes of earning full control of Wisconsin state government for the first time since 2010, and it will send a signal about where the country's politics are headed by shaping a key political battleground that helps decide presidential campaigns. Trump-backed Republican derides Democratic rivals as 'crazy' Tiffany has focused much of his criticism on Hong and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, another Democratic candidate for governor. "This November, the choice is common sense or crazy," Tiffany posted on social media in June. Tiffany included screenshots of a Barnes post where he voiced support for cutting prison populations by half and Hong's posts where she advocates for defunding and abolishing the police. READ MORE: Trump endorses Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin's open race for governor As a candidate, Hong has not backed away from her calls to defu