Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist and state representative in Wisconsin, faces scrutiny following her consistent comments about police abolition. She is leading the Democratic primary race for governor. During a debate at Marquette University, she avoided directly answering whether she still aims to abolish the police.
Hong emphasized the need for investment in crime prevention, stating, “So this system is not working. If we want to be serious, we better be putting these billions into things we know prevent crime.” Despite avoiding a direct yes or no to the question about long-term plans to abolish police, Hong stressed the importance of “systems of care” and reallocating criminal justice funds before being escorted away by her aides.
Her communications director, Allison Geyer, clarified that Hong’s fundamental beliefs have not changed, despite a shift in discussion about police and prison abolition. Geyer compared Hong’s aspirations to eliminate these institutions with goals like eradicating disease or poverty.
During the debate, all five Democratic gubernatorial candidates, including Hong, agreed they would not sign a state budget cutting police funding. Hong acknowledged that the governor cannot defund the police and stated she would focus on public safety.
“The governor cannot defund police, and I am not here to govern by slogan,” Hong said. “I am here to make sure I am the governor that’s most serious about public safety.”
Past remarks made by Hong post the 2020 police shooting of Jacob Blake also came under review. Hong had called for abolishing the police in a 2021 social media post after officers were cleared of charges in Blake’s shooting.
Hong later commented to Fox News Digital, expressing her disapproval of cutting public safety resources, while also condemning law enforcement abuses. Moreover, Hong’s previous call to “Abolish the Senate” surfaced in response to senators failing to convict Donald Trump during his impeachment trial, though she did not recall this post.
Hong’s campaign platform does not advocate for the dismantling or defunding of police, rather it focuses on supporting noncarceral crime-prevention programs and endorses measures like red flag laws, universal background checks, and safe storage requirements.
A recent poll from Marquette Law School indicated that Hong had gained support, capturing 38% of Democratic primary voters’ preferences, with former Lt. Gov. Mandella Barnes as her closest rival at 16%. Yet 34% of voters remain undecided.
Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki criticized efforts by Republicans to influence the primary race, suggesting that they aim to pick a beatable Democratic opponent.
Joel Brennan, also vying for the Democratic nomination, characterized Republican ads as attempts to exploit Hong’s positions on police funding and prison abolition.
The Republican Governors Association has reportedly invested heavily in ads portraying Hong as radically liberal to appeal to progressive voters.
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