Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist and frontrunner for Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial nomination, is facing renewed scrutiny over past social media posts in which she called for abolishing Thanksgiving and criticized other traditional holidays. The controversy has injected a fresh flashpoint into the state's already heated primary race, with Republicans seizing on the remarks as evidence of radicalism.
Hong, a state representative and self-described democratic socialist, has previously made headlines for her far-left positions, including calling police a "white supremacist institution" and advocating for their abolition. She has since walked back those statements, saying she has "evolved" on the issue and no longer supports defunding the police. But her holiday-related posts have resurfaced, prompting questions about her fitness for statewide office.
In a recent interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Hong was pressed on her past tweets suggesting Thanksgiving should be abolished. She defended the sentiment, arguing that the holiday is a "painful time" for many in our communities, particularly Indigenous peoples and others who view it as a symbol of colonial violence. She did not provide further elaboration, leaving critics to wonder who exactly finds the holiday offensive beyond the narrow activist circles she courts.
The criticism extends beyond Thanksgiving. According to a report from the New York Post, Hong has also condemned Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas. While she has not recently repeated those specific objections, the cumulative effect has been to paint her as an outlier even among progressive candidates in the state.
Political analysts note that Wisconsin is a crucial swing state, and Democrats are wary of nominating a candidate who could alienate moderate voters. "This is exactly the kind of baggage that could cost them the general election," said one strategist familiar with the race. The state's Democratic establishment has largely rallied behind Hong, however, viewing her as a dynamic force who can energize the base, but the holiday controversy threatens to undercut that appeal.
Republicans have already begun running ads highlighting Hong's comments, framing her as out of touch with mainstream values. The state GOP has mocked her as the "candidate who wants to cancel Thanksgiving," a tagline that has resonated with some voters. Meanwhile, national Democrats are watching closely, as the outcome in Wisconsin could have implications for the party's broader strategy with socialist candidates.
Hong's campaign has sought to downplay the controversy, insisting that her focus is on kitchen-table issues like healthcare, education, and workers' rights. But the holiday posts have become a recurring theme in interviews and debates, and she has yet to fully defuse the issue. Her response to CNN was seen by many as evasive, and she has declined to apologize for the remarks.
The episode has also sparked debate within the Democratic Party about the role of democratic socialists in its ranks. Some, like Senator Chris Van Hollen, have argued that socialists should be welcomed as part of the coalition, while others, like Senator Joe Manchin, have dismissed the idea as politically suicidal. The DSA's influence is growing, but so is the backlash.
As the primary approaches, Hong remains the favorite, but the holiday controversy could prove to be a liability in the general election. "Voters in Wisconsin are not looking for a candidate who trashes Thanksgiving," said a local political commentator. "They want someone who can win, and this kind of stuff doesn't help." Whether Hong can pivot away from her past rhetoric remains an open question, but the stakes are high for a state that could decide control of the governor's mansion and beyond.
