Democratic Socialist Runs for Governor in Wisconsin | Minneapolis News

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

A former dishwasher and line cook is running for governor in Wisconsin — a swing state where elections hinge on razor-thin margins — and she’s not backing down. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, is testing the limits of how far left voters will go in the midterms, with a bold platform that includes taxing the wealthy, creating a state bank, $20 minimum wage, and defunding the police. While past socialist wins have been in urban areas, Wisconsin’s independent voters and recent razor-close elections make this a high-stakes gamble. She faces stiff competition from more seasoned Democratic…