Francesca Hong brings Hasan Piker to Milwaukee rally amid primary race

Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial front-runner Francesca Hong organized a campaign rally in Milwaukee, featuring Rep. Ilhan Omar and internet commentator Hasan Piker as guest speakers. The event, held in the gym of South Milwaukee High School, attracted a youthful audience that gave Piker a standing ovation as he linked the state to the early socialist movement and called for a decisive primary win on August 11. Hong, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, emphasized her populist platform on cost-of-living issues.

Her main Democratic rival, David Crowley, and Republican nominee Tom Tiffany criticized the decision to align with Piker, labeling him a controversial figure. When asked about the risk, Hong replied that not reaching out to a broad coalition would be the greater gamble. The rally came as former lieutenant governor Mandela Barnes withdrew and implicitly endorsed Hong, leaving her with a sizable lead in a recent Marquette University Law School poll.