Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Devin Remiker on Tuesday deflected questions regarding gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong's past remarks about Thanksgiving, instead choosing to focus criticism on Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.
When asked about Hong's comments, Remiker stated his personal affinity for the holiday and then pivoted to attack Tiffany, suggesting the Republican would make the holiday more expensive for Wisconsinites. "I think Tom Tiffany is going to have a hard time at Thanksgiving this year after he's lost the governor‘s race, because those sweet potatoes he's looking at remind him of the spray tan of the president that cost him his election," Remiker said, referencing Tiffany's past election loss.
Remiker also framed the controversy as an opportunity to discuss economic issues, asserting that Tiffany would increase the cost of groceries and gas. "I think it's great that we have so many opportunities to talk about how Tom Tiffany is going to make Thanksgiving more expensive for Wisconsinites by driving up the cost of the groceries that it costs to make it, the cost of the gas that it takes to drive to your family's place and gather under one roof to share in a great holiday," he stated.
Hong, a democratic socialist, is one of seven Democrats competing in the state's gubernatorial primary. She recently reversed a position she held in 2020, when she appeared to suggest canceling the holiday in a deleted social media post. In a recent interview, Hong described Thanksgiving as her favorite holiday and stated, "I don't want to cancel it. I actually love it." Politico reported that Hong's earlier remarks were intended as a joke.
The Tiffany campaign spokesperson criticized the Democratic Party for supporting Hong, labeling her as a socialist who holds positions such as abolishing police and prisons. "The Democratic Party of Wisconsin capitulated to socialism, and now they’re stuck supporting a socialist who wants to abolish the police, abolish prisons, cancel Thanksgiving, and make Wisconsin the highest-income-taxed state in the nation," the spokesperson said. The campaign added that Tiffany would focus on affordability and public safety.
Hong faces competition in the primary from candidates including Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, while Tiffany is running against Andy Manske in the Republican primary.