America's Most Divided State Loves Its Extremes
Wisconsin has been the nation’s most closely divided state for a quarter century. Since 2000, only one presidential candidate—Barack Obama, twice—has carried the state by more than a single percentage point. But despite its status as a battleground, America’s Dairyland has never been a bastion of milquetoast moderation. Wisconsin has produced both a father of progressivism, Robert La Follette, and the red-baiting conservative Joseph McCarthy. More recently, its voters have backed the liberal stalwarts Russ Feingold and Tammy Baldwin as well as the right-wing Republicans Scott Walker and Ron Johnson.
TL;DR
- Francesca Hong, a state legislator and former restaurateur, is running for the Democratic nomination for governor of Wisconsin.
- Her platform includes policies favored by the progressive left, such as a public bank, public grocery stores, universal child care, free school lunches, paid leave, and a $20 minimum wage.
- Hong's campaign has gained significant momentum, outperforming more experienced rivals and leading in recent polls.
- Republicans are reportedly spending over $2.5 million on ads to boost Hong's profile, viewing her as a potentially favorable opponent in the general election.
- Some Democratic leaders are concerned about Hong's progressive stance and her potential electability against a Republican.
- Hong believes her opposition to AI data centers could appeal to independent and conservative voters, including those who voted for Trump.
- She has stated she does not support 'the full platform' of the national Democratic Socialists of America and would not defund or abolish the police as governor.