A democratic-socialist line cook is leading in Wisconsin governor polls. Francesca Hong's progressive platform includes free child care and a $20 minimum wage.

Francesca Hong, a 37-year-old democratic-socialist line cook, has surged to the lead in several early polls for the Wisconsin governor race. Hong, the state's first Asian-American assembly member, is running on a deeply progressive platform. She is part of a group of lefty candidates with working-class credentials running in competitive states and districts.

Campaign and Platform

Hong's platform includes free child care, a $20 minimum wage, and a full moratorium on data center construction. She is an outspoken critic of the Israeli government and has faced backlash for past calls to 'abolish' the police. Hong has suggested that as governor, she would call the state National Guard to arrest federal ICE agents.

Primary Election

Hong is leading early polls among nine Democratic candidates, making her an unusual frontrunner to lead a state that President Donald Trump narrowly won in 2024. The primary election is scheduled for August 11, and Hong will face off against the presumed GOP nominee, Tom Tiffany, if she wins.

Fundraising and Support

Hong has raised about $635,000, according to Wisconsin campaign finance records. She is focusing on turning one-time donors into recurring donors and has leaned on nontraditional fundraising tactics, like streaming. Hong has appeared with progressive streamers and is planning to stream a DJ set and a cooking demo on Twitch.

Key points

• Francesca Hong is a 37-year-old democratic-socialist line cook leading in Wisconsin governor polls.
• Hong's platform includes free child care, a $20 minimum wage, and a full moratorium on data center construction.
• She has faced backlash for past calls to 'abolish' the police and has suggested arresting federal ICE agents as governor.
• Hong has raised about $635,000, according to Wisconsin campaign finance records.
• The primary election is scheduled for August 11, and Hong will face off against Tom Tiffany if she wins.
• Hong has leaned on nontraditional fundraising tactics, like streaming, to support her campaign.