Francesca Hong, a Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor, is facing criticism for past social media posts that called Thanksgiving a "celebration of colonialism" and advocated for defunding and abolishing the police. Hong, who is considered the frontrunner in the upcoming primary, has recently attempted to moderate her stances on these issues.
In a recent interview, Hong stated her favorite holiday is Thanksgiving and that she does not want to cancel it. "I don't want to cancel it, I actually love it," she told Politico. She also acknowledged that while Thanksgiving can be a "painful time for many people in our communities," her views can evolve. When questioned by CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins about whether she still wished to cancel Thanksgiving, Hong provided a lengthy response about her hospitality background and the importance of community, rather than a direct yes or no.
This interview followed backlash after her 2020 tweet resurfaced, which read: "Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621. If it takes a worldwide pandemic for us to realize we should stop celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader event that killed indigenous folx and women, so be it." The term "folx" is a gender-neutral term intended to be inclusive of transgender and non-binary individuals.
Her past calls to "defund the police" and "abolish" the police have also drawn scrutiny. A candidate questionnaire from January 2026 reaffirmed her commitment to police and prison abolition. However, Hong has more recently stated on X that she is not running to defund the police and that her administration would prioritize public safety. When asked by Collins if she was still intent on abolishing police or prisons, Hong indicated she was not interested in doing so if elected.
Another past social media post from 2019 saw Hong state that she left a restaurant because there were "too many old white people" who she believed thought she and her son did not speak English. She described the experience as causing her anxiety.
Despite these past statements, Hong has gained traction in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor. A Marquette University Law School poll indicated she held 38 percent support, significantly ahead of other candidates.