Ocasio-Cortez urges voters to judge Wisconsin candidate Hong by current views

21 outlets1 min read1h agoImportance 5/10

State Rep. Francesca Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is ahead of Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary. Hong’s campaign emphasizes policies such as universal childcare, free school meals and a pause on new data‑center projects, while she continues to face scrutiny over earlier social‑media comments made in 2020. The contest is drawing attention as the state’s Democratic voters decide between Hong’s progressive platform and Crowley’s argument that his candidacy is more electable in the general election. The race also reflects a broader trend of progressive candidates adjusting their messaging after the peak of the “woke” era.

How this was covered

Right-leaning outlets covered this 4h later
Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story

Why it matters

The outcome will determine which candidate represents the Democratic Party in a battleground state’s governor’s race, shaping policy priorities and the party’s electoral prospects.

How the sides frame it

LOW AGREEMENT

Left-leaning coverage treats the story as a nuanced look at the evolution of progressive “woke” rhetoric and Hong’s past tweets, while right-leaning coverage frames it as a scandal-laden warning about Hong’s socialist past and AOC’s defense of it.

LEFT

Frames the story as an analysis of shifting progressive rhetoric and the legacy of the “woke” era, noting Hong’s past tweets and AOC’s remarks in that context.

RIGHT

Frames the story as a controversy over Hong’s former extremist positions and a warning that her candidacy could bring socialist policies to Wisconsin, highlighting AOC’s defense.

The left emphasises

Hong is "under fire for 2020 tweets" calling for police abolition and ending Thanksgiving
AOC’s light-hearted remark that “Woke 1 was crazy” and her note that many activists have moved away from that rhetoric
discussion of the rise, peak, and later pejorative use of “woke”

The right emphasises

Hong’s earlier posts advocated defunding/abolishing police, ICE, and called Thanksgiving a “colonizer holiday”
Republican Tom Tiffany warns that Hong could bring far-left policies to Wisconsin, calling it a “firewall” against socialism
AOC’s comment that “Woke 1 was crazy” is presented as a re-branding while still labeling her the most dangerous Democrat

How this story developed

Jul 28 Early Voting Starts Amid Turbulent Wisconsin Democratic Governor Primary
Aug 10 Abdul El‑Sayed secured the Democratic nomination in the Michigan Senate primary.
Aug 10 Former Governor Scott Walker warned Republicans that supporting Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary could be very dangerous, noting Wisconsin’s open‑primary law.
Aug 10 Democratic insiders warned that GOP fraud accusations could be directed at Flanagan.
Aug 11 Republican Representative Tom Tiffany warned that a Hong victory could bring far‑left policies to Wisconsin.
Aug 11 Recent polls show Hong holding a double‑digit lead over Crowley.
Aug 11 The Democratic primary will determine if Hong, a former chef and single mother, becomes the party's nominee for governor, challenging the endorsement of retiring Gov. Tony Evers for Crowley. Hong leads in a recent poll with 38% support, while Crowley trails at 7% and other candidates have withdrawn. Her campaign emphasizes grassroots organizing, claiming 120,000 door knocks and a focus on issues such as legalizing marijuana, raising wages, and protecting freedoms. Critics warn her victory could affect donor contributions and raise questions about the party's ability to win the general election against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.
Aug 11 David Crowley re‑entered the race after receiving Gov. Tony Evers’s endorsement.
Aug 11 Immigration and fraud issues have become central themes of the Democratic Senate primary.
Aug 11 Democratic leaders announced a statewide unity tour featuring a breakfast with Baldwin and Pocan and a Milwaukee rally for Crowley.
Aug 12 Flanagan secured the Democratic nomination with about 59% of the vote.
Aug 12 With three‑quarters of votes counted, Hong and Crowley are separated by less than one point, keeping the Democratic nomination undecided.
Aug 12 Wisconsin holds its Democratic gubernatorial primary with Francesca Hong and David Crowley as the final contenders.

In this story