Francesca Hong, a 37-year-old state assemblywoman from Madison, is leading the Democratic field for governor in Wisconsin. As a democratic socialist, her campaign has sparked debate about the role of socialism in the state’s politics.

Primary Election

Hong’s campaign has been gaining momentum, with her top two Democratic rivals’ campaigns imploding in recent weeks. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez exited the race amid a campaign finance scandal, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes dropped out on Thursday.

Despite her lead, Hong faces challenges in the general election. Republican US Rep. Tom Tiffany has already started to criticize her, accusing her of supporting the abolition of prisons and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Tiffany has also highlighted Hong’s history of calling for the defunding of police, an issue that is likely to feature prominently in Republican advertisements this fall.

Policy Positions

Hong has tried to distance herself from some of the more controversial planks of the Democratic Socialists of America’s platform. In a recent debate, she stated that she does not support the full platform of the national DSA and is not endorsed by DSA National. However, she has been accused of being unclear about her views on defunding the police, and her comments on the issue have been criticized by Republicans.

Hong’s campaign has also sparked debate about the role of socialism in Wisconsin’s politics. Some have praised her for bringing a new perspective to the state’s Democratic Party, while others have criticized her for being too radical. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how Hong’s campaign will fare in the general election.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.