Wisconsin Candidate's "Cancel Thanksgiving" Tweet Resurfaces Ahead of Primary

Voters in Wisconsin will head to the polls on Tuesday to decide who the Democrats will nominate for the state's governorship. The party's frontrunner is now under fire for her recent comments about canceling Thanksgiving. Read on for the details of the controversy and how it may impact Tuesday's important election.

Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Race Tightening

Wisconsin Democrat Francesca Hong is in defense mode ahead of the state's August 11 gubernatorial primary. The self-described democratic socialist was widely considered to be the leader in Wisconsin's crowded gubernatorial field. Many political experts are looking at Hong's candidacy to determine how much of an influence that democratic socialists will have in the November midterm elections.

The controversy dates back to November of 2020 when Hong posted on social media that the U.S. should stop celebrating Thanksgiving. In the post on then-Twitter, Hong said, "Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621."

Hong said that the holiday celebrates colonialism and diseases that the Europeans brought across the Atlantic. While that post has since been deleted, Hong's comments during an August 3 interview on CNN left the door open to the idea that she was not supportive of the annual fall holiday.

Hong's comments about a number of issues have drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. Establishment Democrats believe that the 37-year-old's raw messaging makes her more vulnerable in a general election. Opponent David Crowley said that Hong is "not ready for prime time, and the fact that she's been asked very simple questions and the way that she's responding to those questions makes the news even more should cause all of us to pause."

Republicans have been even harder on Hong despite being hopeful that she will likely end up on the opposite side of the ballot from their candidate, Tom Tiffany. The swing state of Wisconsin has proven to be a bellwether of how the general election will unfold, making what happens on Tuesday even more interesting to the pundits. Most Republicans believe that a controversial candidate on the Democratic side of the ballot would give the GOP a much-needed boost as President Donald Trump's popularity and pull tumbles.

Although Hong has identified as a democratic socialist, she has disavowed some of the recently released Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) platform. In a new interview with USA Today, Hong reiterated her belief that voters want a "new type of politics." She went on to say that Trump's overzealous use of his executive power has awakened the progressive arm of the Democratic Party, prompting them to take action.

Hong's troubles come as the DSA branch of the party is being put under a microscope after releasing its radical platform after its July convention. Hong is a member of the local DSA chapter in Madison.

What does Hong stand for? The gubernatorial candidate said that her goal is to focus on "delivering for people the policies that improve the material conditions of their lives." So while she does support most of the tenets of the DSA platform, she has also separated herself from some of the more controversial ideas, including the abolishment of law enforcement agencies.

Democratic Socialist Party Gaining Momentum

The looming midterms come as the DSA reaches a critical crossroads. This liberal subsection of the Democratic Party has enjoyed pivotal wins in some of the nation's most progressive pockets, raising its profile on the national stage. After winning big in liberal enclaves such as Washington, D.C., New York City, and Denver, the DSA scored a big victory last week when Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Senate primary. Although El-Sayed is not a democratic socialist by name, the DSA endorsed him over the more moderate opponent.

Trump won the state of Wisconsin by less than one percentage point in the 2024 presidential election. Democrats need a popular candidate on the November ballot to encourage greater turnout should they hope to win the governorship.

Conservatives are using Hong's weaknesses against her as they look to gain control of the governor's mansion. Current Gov. Tony Evers is a popular Democrat who is term-limited, meaning that the office is wide open again.

Megan Novak, Wisconsin state director for the conservative Americans for Prosperity advocacy group, has been critical of Hong and her position on several issues. Novak has been particularly disparaging of Hong's position on Milwaukee's taxpayer-funded private school voucher program. Approximately 30,000 students lean on the program, a system that GOP candidate Tiffany does not want to change. However, Hong opposes the voucher program and wants to phase it out.

What is Next in the Wisconsin Race?

Hong has enjoyed a commanding double-digit lead in statewide polling; however, that lead is starting to slip away. According to the latest poll out of Marquette University Law School, 34% of all Democratic voters are still undecided, meaning that there is still more room for Hong to lose her lead.

Hong's biggest competition for Tuesday's primary election is now David Crowley, Milwaukee County's first Black executive. Crowley tossed his hat back into the ring last month after receiving the backing of Gov. Evers. Crowley noted that one of the reasons that he decided to reenter the race is because Hong had been struggling.

The 40-year-old has also received support from several unions. While Crowley's campaign is still playing catch-up, some pundits believe that Hong's recent missteps could translate to a more competitive election than what was happening just a few weeks ago. Only time will tell who will emerge victorious in the Badger State when voters head to the polls on Tuesday.

Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what's next.