Wisconsin Democrat Francesca Hong faces Jewish backlash over Israel stance and ties to antisemitic influencers

State Representative Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist, is mounting a formidable campaign for Wisconsin governor, leading the crowded primary with 30% support. But her strong stance against Israeli policy and her choice of platforms are raising alarms among Jewish voters and community leaders.

Hong’s campaign emphasizes working-class issues, but her record includes calling Israel’s actions in Gaza a ‘genocide’ and pushing to repeal a law banning contracts with boycott-Israel companies. She has also appeared on streams by Hasan Piker and Michael Beyer, who made antisemitic remarks, raising over $90,000 from those appearances.

‘She is willing to sell out the Jews of Wisconsin for a few bucks,’ wrote Ann Jacobs, Democratic chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Jeremy Tunis of the Jewish Federation of Madison said Hong’s responses have been insufficient. The primary is set for August 11, and many Jewish Democrats worry about her general election viability against Republican Tom Tiffany, a race she currently leads 47-44 in one poll.

Article and image source: jta.org