Can a Socialist Win Wisconsin? | Raleigh News

Raleigh News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 9, 2026 · 2m

Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist with roots as a dishwasher and line cook, is boldly running for Wisconsin governor in a razor-thin battleground state, testing how far left the Democratic Party can go while still winning over moderate and independent voters. Her platform—taxing the wealthy, creating a state bank, a $20 minimum wage, and defunding police—has drawn fire from her Republican opponent, Tom Tiffany, who calls rivals “crazy.” Despite skepticism, Hong believes Wisconsinites are ready for radical change. With other Democratic contenders like Mandela Barnes vying for the…