Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Rep. Tom Tiffany is warning that Wisconsin could become a battleground for the spread of socialism, as voters approach Tuesday's primary election. Speaking alongside former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Tiffany suggested that a potential general election matchup against Democratic state Rep. Francesca Hong could determine whether the state serves as a "firewall" against socialist movements.
"Is the heartland going to be the firewall that stops this movement of socialism coming from, especially the East Coast?" Tiffany asked. "And I think Wisconsin will be. We’ll be the place that stops socialism."
Tiffany and Youngkin have targeted Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), over her progressive policy stances. These include calls to defund the police, abolish prisons, create public banks and grocery stores, establish universal childcare, and implement a $20 minimum wage. Hong's "TAX THE RICH" plan proposes increasing state income taxes for couples earning over $431,000 and individuals earning over $323,000.
Youngkin characterized Hong's platform as the "antithesis of America," citing her purported support for abolishing the military and the presidency, in addition to defunding police and closing prisons. "I just know my friends and neighbors, including some who are Democrats, they are not crazy," Tiffany stated. "They do not believe in some of these crazy policies, abolish prisons, abolish police, highest tax rates that you could possibly have. I mean they do not accept that."
Past social media posts from Hong have drawn scrutiny. In one 2021 post, she stated that police "exist to uphold white supremacy," and she has also called for abolishing the U.S. Senate and criticized holidays like Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. While Hong has since described some of these as "bad takes" and acknowledged having "hot takes" on Twitter, she has also avoided directly answering whether she still supports defunding the police, while noting her inability to do so as governor.
"[They are] going to do everything they can to walk them back, but people see through this," Tiffany said of Hong's statements. "Those flip-flops, people know about that already and they're going to know about it as we go through the final, you know, couple months of the campaign. They see through that type of stuff when you are not genuine."
Republicans are attempting to frame Hong's progressive record as a liability in the battleground state. "This is a moment for the heartland of America to stand up for America," Youngkin said.
Tiffany, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump and is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, spoke to Fox News Digital while campaigning with Youngkin on issues such as home ownership and school choice. Hong, meanwhile, has argued that her candidacy appeals to Democratic voters disillusioned with the party establishment, as well as Republicans who disagree with Trump and his allies.
Tiffany and Hong are considered frontrunners in their respective primaries. Tiffany faces medical service technician Andrew Manske, while Hong is running against Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Wisconsin Department of Administration secretary Joel Brennan, and Democratic state Sen. Kelda Roys. Youngkin stated, "[Tiffany] is what's gonna be on the ballot against someone who literally wants to deconstruct America." He concluded, "This is what this election eventually is gonna be about — common sense against crazy."