Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) indicated Wednesday that he is unlikely to back Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, casting doubt on a potential endorsement from the progressive wing just days before the state's voters head to the polls.
Asked on the "Pod Save America" podcast whether he would endorse Hong, Sanders replied, "I don't think so." The senator noted he met Hong "a couple of years ago" and described her as "very, very nice," but added that he is "not that familiar" with the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Tony Evers (D).
"We have not gotten involved in many governors races," Sanders said. "My major concern right now is seeing that we have a Senate and a House that is going to stand up to [President] Trump."
The Vermont independent has thrown his support behind a slate of left-wing candidates in House and Senate primaries nationwide, but he pointed to his earlier endorsement of Troy Jackson in Maine's gubernatorial primary as an exception. "That's really where my focus is," Sanders said, referring to congressional contests. "So as of now, we have really not been involved in that race."
Hong, a democratic socialist and state lawmaker, is leading the Democratic field, according to polls ahead of Tuesday's primary. The likely Republican nominee, Rep. Tom Tiffany, has seized on Hong's past social media posts criticizing holidays such as Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. In one since-deleted post, Hong wrote, "Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621."
She later told CNN that the holiday is "incredibly painful for many people," but during a Wednesday interview with Politico she called it her "favorite" holiday. Hong, a former professional chef, has also previously called for defunding and abolishing the police, though at a debate last month she said she needs to be "sensible and practical on what we can achieve."
Evers has endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who reentered the race after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out. Evers also told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this week that Hong would likely lose to Tiffany in November.
Sanders' decision to stay out of the Wisconsin governor's race mirrors his broader strategy of concentrating on congressional battlegrounds, where he has been active in primaries, including his recent support for a challenger in Michigan. His focus on Capitol Hill races has also sparked friction with some party figures, as seen in his exchange with Sen. John Fetterman over endorsement tactics.
With the primary just days away, Hong's campaign will have to navigate without the boost of a Sanders endorsement, even as she continues to court the progressive base that the Vermont senator has energized.
