Wisconsin’s Democratic frontrunner for governor complained her opponent only talks about “culture wars” — days after she shared a stage with a streamer who said America “deserved” the September 11 attacks.
Story Snapshot
- Francesca Hong, a self-described democratic socialist, leads Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor ahead of the August 11 vote.
- Hong rallied in South Milwaukee with Representative Ilhan Omar and Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who has drawn criticism for past remarks about 9/11 and Mao Zedong.
- Hong’s campaign said Piker “speaks for himself” after backlash, but did not cancel the appearance.
- Hong had earlier called Thanksgiving “incredibly painful” for some communities, then later said it’s her “favorite holiday.”
Frontrunner Accuses Rival Of Playing Culture Wars
Francesca Hong, a Madison state representative running as a democratic socialist, has built a commanding lead in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. She has publicly criticized her opponent for focusing on “culture wars” instead of policy. Yet Hong’s own record includes comments about Thanksgiving and alliances with controversial figures that critics say prove she is the one stoking division.
Hong walked onto a stage in South Milwaukee on August 2, wearing her signature blue pantsuit, to headline a rally with Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and political streamer Hasan Piker. The event drew a young, energized crowd and marked one of the final campaign pushes before the August 11 primary election, according to local reporting on the rally.
A Controversial Ally Takes The Stage
Piker has a long history of inflammatory statements, including remarks suggesting America “deserved” the September 11 attacks and comments praising Mao Zedong. Despite that record, Hong welcomed his support and appeared on his stream weeks before the rally to build enthusiasm among younger voters, according to a report on the event.
At the rally, Piker predicted Republicans would never win Wisconsin again once “our movement” took hold, a claim that alarmed conservatives watching the primary closely. Hong’s campaign did not distance itself from the appearance beforehand, choosing instead to embrace the coalition-building opportunity with Piker’s large online following.
Campaign Tries To Separate Candidate From Streamer’s Words
After criticism mounted, Hong’s campaign spokesperson, Allison Geyer, issued a statement trying to draw a line between the candidate and her controversial guest. “Hasan speaks for himself, and Rep. Hong speaks for herself,” Geyer said, an on-record response that suggests the campaign saw the backlash as serious enough to require damage control.
Critics note the statement came only after the rally generated negative headlines, not before Hong agreed to share the stage with Piker. Conservative outlets argue this shows a pattern: embrace radical allies for enthusiasm and fundraising, then issue a carefully worded disclaimer once the attention turns unwelcome.
Thanksgiving Remarks Add To The Pattern
Hong previously described Thanksgiving as “a time that’s incredibly painful for many people in our communities,” a comment that fueled accusations she wanted to diminish or “cancel” the holiday. She later clarified by saying, “My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving,” attempting to walk back the impression her earlier remark left with voters.
Reporters have not published the original statement in full, leaving her exact wording and context unclear. Still, the shift from calling the holiday “painful” to naming it her favorite gives critics an easy talking point about inconsistency, especially paired with her defense of appearing alongside Piker and Omar during the campaign’s final stretch.
Francesca Hong holds rally with Hasan Piker and Ilhan Omar in Milwaukee https://t.co/uD4qgqjd6P via @YouTube
— nimzo2345 (@Nimzoblanca) August 7, 2026
What This Means For Wisconsin Voters
Hong has also shown signs of softening earlier positions, including past comments on defunding police, according to coverage of her primary run. Voters weighing her candidacy now face a candidate who accuses her opponent of playing culture wars while her own campaign trail is defined by a radical streamer, a controversial congresswoman, and shifting explanations on American tradition.
Wisconsin Republicans are watching closely as the state could become the first to elect a self-described democratic socialist governor. If Hong wins the primary, her ties to Piker and her Thanksgiving remarks will likely follow her into the general election, giving conservatives a clear contrast to draw for voters heading into November.
Sources:
twitchy.com, youtube.com, pjmedia.com, townhall.com
