In a telling sign of just how far the modern Democratic Party has drifted, self-proclaimed socialist Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has conspicuously declined to endorse Francesca Hong, a leading Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate whose extreme rhetoric has garnered national attention. Hong's platform includes calls to abolish the police and cancel Thanksgiving – positions apparently radical enough to give even Sanders pause.
During a recent appearance on the "Pod Save America" podcast, Sanders was directly asked about endorsing Hong, who currently holds a commanding lead in the Democratic primary. Despite having endorsed other far-left candidates in the past, the Vermont senator claimed unfamiliarity with Hong's race, stating, "I don’t think so. I met Francesca a couple of years ago [when] I was in Wisconsin. And she was very, very nice. But, again, this is a race I just am not that familiar with." His focus, he added, was on ensuring "a Senate and a House that is going to stand up to Trump." Funny how "standing up to Trump" often involves ignoring the radicalism brewing within his own party.
Hong's notoriety stems from a series of highly controversial statements. In November 2020, she publicly demanded the cancellation of Thanksgiving, writing, "Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621. If it takes a worldwide pandemic for us to realize we should stop celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader event that killed indigenous folx and women, so be it." A truly unifying message for a gubernatorial hopeful.
Her disdain for foundational American traditions extends to law enforcement. In October 2021, Hong declared, "Police exist to uphold white supremacy. Defund then abolish. Reform can’t be an option." This chilling rejection of law and order reflects a dangerous ideology that would leave communities vulnerable and undermine the very fabric of civil society.
Perhaps most bizarrely, Hong also took aim at ordinary Americans enjoying a meal, recounting an "anxiety attack" triggered by the presence of "too many old white people" at a Culver's fast-food restaurant. "I ate two bites of my kid’s cheeseburger at a Culver’s in black river falls [sic] and told him they ran out of ice cream. Mostly just wanted to leave bc I was on the verge of a anxiety attack…to [sic] many old white people who didn’t think we spoke english," she posted on X. Such open contempt for constituents, particularly those who simply exist, is a stark reminder of the division the radical left seeks to sow.
While Hong has attempted to distance herself from some of these past comments, she has simultaneously doubled down on her extreme leftist priorities. Just recently, she campaigned alongside Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and streamer Hasan Piker, a figure infamous for suggesting America "deserved" the 9/11 attacks. Hong’s unwavering support from Democratic Socialists of America chapters in Madison and Milwaukee further solidifies her alignment with the far reaches of the progressive movement.
The contrast within the Democratic Party itself is telling. Establishment figures, including Governor Tony Evers, have thrown their support behind Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who has significantly out-fundraised Hong. Yet, despite this institutional backing, Crowley continues to trail Hong in primary polls, underscoring the grip the radical wing now holds over the party's base. Meanwhile, Republicans are poised to nominate Rep. Tom Tiffany, a candidate who has already outpaced all Democratic hopefuls in fundraising, offering a clear alternative for Wisconsin voters.
The Wisconsin primary on August 11 will be a crucial test, not just for the state, but for the soul of the Democratic Party. As Francesca Hong's alarming platform gains traction, it forces a critical question: how far is the left willing to go before even its own figureheads find themselves unable to offer an endorsement? For common-sense Americans, the answer is already clear: the America First movement offers a path forward rooted in tradition, law, and respect for all citizens, not in the radical, divisive ideologies that now dominate much of the left.
