Democratic socialist Francesca Hong has former child star, OnlyFans model in senior campaign role: report

Wisconsin state Representative Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist candidate for governor, has reportedly appointed Renee Olstead — a former child actress and OnlyFans model who also goes by Renee Faust — as deputy campaign manager ahead of next week's Democratic primary. The report has drawn criticism from conservative groups, who argue the appointment undermines the seriousness of Hong's campaign, while Hong's team has defended Olstead by highlighting her professional credentials and advocacy work rather than directly confirming details of her role.

According to The Heartland Post, Olstead has worked as a paid campaign operative since at least January and has coordinated logistics for high-profile surrogates including streamer Hasan Piker. Hong's campaign described her as a licensed mental health clinician who has worked with trafficking survivors and said she joined in December, helping build what it called the largest grassroots campaign in Wisconsin's history. Olstead also founded the Coalition for American Sex Workers and was honoured last year with a Wisconsin State Assembly citation, presented by Hong and other legislators, recognising her advocacy and her 2024 "Penthouse Pet of the Year" title. Hong faces Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former state administration secretary Joel Brennan and state Senator Kelda Roys in Tuesday's primary, and has separately faced scrutiny over past comments, including a deleted 2020 post calling to "cancel Thanksgiving."