Wisconsin is the latest state with a Democrat primary involving a far-left radical. And in most polls Democrat Socialist Francesca Hong has a double-digit lead in polls in the race to replace retiring Democrat Governor Tony Evers.
Hong (shown top and right) is presenting herself as an outsider to the Democratic establishment: a former chef and restaurant worker, single mother, renter and daughter of Korean immigrants who entered politics as a state representative.
Daniel Degner is president of Wisconsin Family Action.
“I would say that it's very likely at this point that Democrat Socialist Francesca Hong wins the primary. What we have seen, even in our own internal polling as we had with Democrat voters, we had Hong at 47% in our internal poll. So, we've seen in Wisconsin, it looks very likely that the Democrat Socialist is going to win this nomination.”
That’s left the Democrat establishment in a bit of a pickle in the cheese state.
“Right now, the establishment is doing everything they possibly can to try to ensure that she does not take over. But it does appear now that the voters will select Francesca Hong to be the Democrat Socialist nominee here in Wisconsin."
Hong is campaigning on what she calls a “permanent affordability” agenda. Her central pitch is that government should make everyday necessities — childcare, healthcare, housing and education —more affordable for working families.
Hong’s campaign website claims that her universal childcare plan is modeled from plans in New Mexico and Vermont. It promises “high-quality childcare with either no out-of-pocket costs, subsidies or strictly capped prices.”
She also opposes existing school choice laws in Wisconsin.
“As governor, Fran will start a responsible transition away from the unfair voucher program, which gives financial advantages to private schools over public ones,” the website states.
The good news, Degner says, is that November’s general election polling is encouraging.
“On the Republican side of the ticket, Tom Tiffany is a current U.S. House Republicans from the Northwoods. He has President Trump's support. He is polling at over 90%. He's going to be the Republican nominee. Where this is so important for the broader electorate is we're seeing polling from Marquette Law School that shows that if Democrats do nominate the Democrat Socialist, it will be about a five-point swing toward Tom Tiffany as we look at November."
Tiffany has consistently supported tax cuts as well as reducing federal spending. He supported the Working Families Tax Cuts enacted in 2025, which Republicans describe as the largest tax cut in American history.
He’s been a strong supporter of immigration enforcement and border security which have been among his principal issues. He’s been a proponent of legislation restricting federal benefits for people in the country illegally and measures aimed at preventing noncitizens from obtaining government benefits.
Real Clear Polling shows Republicans with nearly a 62% chance of winning in November.
