A Republican-linked super PAC is investing $2.2 million in television ads that seem designed to bolster Francesca Hong’s chances in the Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin. Some Democrats worry that Hong, known for her strong left-wing views, could win the primary and weaken the party’s hold on the governor’s mansion in November.
The ad campaign is orchestrated by Right Direction Wisconsin, a group tied to the Republican Governors Association. The 30-second ad critiques Hong’s liberal views, a tactic apparently aimed at increasing her appeal among Democratic primary voters. These ads will start airing on Thursday in Democratic strongholds like Madison and Milwaukee.
Both political parties have employed similar tactics in other states. They aim to elevate candidates perceived as weaker opponents in a general election.
Joe Zepecki, a Democratic strategist in Wisconsin who remains neutral in the primary, criticized the Republican effort. He called it a “sneaky, underhanded attempt to meddle in the democratic process.” Zepecki encouraged all Democratic campaigns for governor, including Hong’s, to denounce the ads as misleading interference.
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