David Axelrod, a prominent strategist behind President Barack Obama's campaigns, has publicly stated that a loss for Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong in her upcoming primary could be beneficial for fellow progressive Abdul El-Sayed. Axelrod described Hong as "a font of zany liberal, faculty lounge exotica" and suggested that Republicans would likely attempt to link El-Sayed with Hong if she were to win the nomination.
Axelrod's comments, posted on X, imply that some within the Democratic party view certain progressive candidates as potential liabilities, even after recent electoral successes.
Francesca Hong, currently a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, responded directly to Axelrod's remarks on X, criticizing "the consultant class" and their perceived detachment from working-class voters. "This tweet is a perfect example of why the consultant class keeps losing elections," Hong wrote. "They're totally clueless, and they're hellbent on keeping working-class people out of politics."
Hong has identified herself as a "proud democratic socialist" and has garnered support from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Her policy platform includes proposals such as universal childcare, a $20 minimum wage, the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), state-issued IDs for noncitizens, publicly run grocery stores, and an end to U.S. support for Israel.
In addition to her policy positions, some of Hong's past statements have drawn scrutiny. These include calls to cancel Thanksgiving due to its historical context, defund the police, and abolish the Senate. While she has sought to distance herself from some of these remarks, Hong has not presented herself as a moderate.
The Wisconsin gubernatorial race saw a significant shift when frontrunner Mandela Barnes, the state's former lieutenant governor, withdrew from the contest. This departure left Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as the leading contenders. Governor Tony Evers has endorsed Crowley.
Hong is set to face a primary election on August 11. If successful, she will advance to the general election on November 3.