Democratic socialist and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong is under renewed scrutiny after past remarks about race and "whiteness" resurfaced online, including comments referencing members of her own family.

Hong, who has served in the Wisconsin State Assembly since 2021, made statements during a 2021 interview with ListenMKE, saying, "I think navigating what his identity is and how people perceive him is always at the back of my mind as well."

A collection of Hong's previous posts and interview clips has emerged as she campaigns for governor, renewing attention on her repeated comments about race and identity, some of which have been critical of whiteness. One such comment included her describing an experience at a Culver’s in Black River Falls where she said, "I ate two bites of my kid’s cheeseburger... Mostly just wanted to leave bc I was on the verge of an anxiety attack…to many old white people who didn’t think we spoke English."

Hong has also expressed empathy in the past, stating in October 2021, "My heart breaks for the trauma the Blake family and their community continues to endure."

Her campaign rally on August 2, 2026, which featured Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar and left-wing commentator Hasan Piker, drew online backlash after attendees were required to show photo ID, prompting accusations of hypocrisy given the left's opposition to voter ID laws such as the SAVE Act.

Critics have been vocal. Fox News contributor Paul Mauro wrote on X, "I’m sorry but this woman is not well." Rick Esenberg, president of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, commented, "It must be exhausting to have to think like this."

Wisconsin GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany also weighed in, criticizing Hong's remarks.

Francesca Hong continues to campaign amid these controversies as the Wisconsin gubernatorial race intensifies.

Sources