Francesca Hong Showboats (Again) With Hasan Piker As Democrat Panic in Wisconsin Intensifies
Earlier reports noted longtime Democratic strategist James Carville warning that he would abandon the party if leftist podcaster Hasan Piker gained significant influence within it. During a Fox News appearance, Carville declared he had no desire to share a political party with Piker.
Recent developments suggest Piker continues to receive a warm reception in certain Democratic circles, especially among Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) supporters. Wisconsin state Representative Francesca Hong, a DSA-backed candidate, currently holds a strong position in the August 11 primary to succeed retiring Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
Establishment Democrats fear that a primary victory for Hong over preferred alternatives—such as former Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, who suspended her bid, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who briefly exited before reentering—could help Republican Representative Tom Tiffany, the Trump-supported frontrunner, reclaim the governorship for the GOP.
Concerns stem partly from Hong’s chosen allies, including Piker. In a late-June interview, she discussed support for state-operated grocery stores, tighter controls on technology companies, Palestinian liberation, and erecting a statue of former Governor Scott Walker that people could vandalize.
Despite warnings from some Democrats that Piker’s involvement could become a liability in a general election, Hong has reinforced the partnership. On Sunday she appeared at a campaign event alongside both Piker and Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Piker posted that he was in “the people’s republic of Wisconsin” and expressed confidence that Hong would become the state’s next governor. Hong publicly thanked both guests, while others shared video of the joint appearance.
Former Governor Scott Walker responded by highlighting past remarks from the two figures—one claiming America “deserved 9/11” and the other describing the attacks as merely “some people did something”—and argued that anyone associating with them is too extreme for public office.
Tiffany’s campaign echoed the criticism, noting Hong’s decision to campaign with individuals who have called communism an “honorable end goal,” suggested capitalists should be killed, and made the 9/11 comments referenced above. The campaign described the choice as particularly risky in a closely contested state like Wisconsin.
