Scott Walker warns Francesca Hong that backtracking could cost her primary support

Former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, now president of Young America's Foundation, told one outlet that state representative Francesca Hong’s recent moderation of earlier controversial remarks may be damaging her primary momentum. Walker cited Hong’s deleted 2020 post calling for the cancellation of Thanksgiving and her past advocacy for abolishing the police, noting that she now claims her views have “evolved.”

He argued that primary voters appreciate her outsider image, and any backtracking could erode that support. Hong, a 37-year-old former chef and single mother, currently leads polls for the Democratic gubernatorial primary, while establishment Democrats have struggled to secure her endorsement. Republicans, including Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, view Hong as the most vulnerable Democratic candidate, anticipating a contest against Trump-aligned nominee Tom Tiffany.

The Hong campaign did not immediately comment on Walker’s remarks. Walker also linked the rise of democratic socialism to campus indoctrination and economic frustrations among young adults.