How Wisconsin’s woke governor candidate’s crusade to cancel ALL traditional holidays could backfire

Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong is facing criticism after old social media posts in which she appeared to disparage Thanksgiving and other traditions resurfaced online. A now-deleted 2020 post on X called for Thanksgiving to be "cancelled", linking the holiday to colonialism and its impact on Indigenous communities, prompting Republican rivals and commentators to accuse the Korean-American chef-turned-lawmaker of attacking a cherished national custom. The row has become a flashpoint in the race to succeed Governor Tony Evers, as Hong currently leads the Democratic primary field ahead of a likely general election contest with Republican Tom Tiffany.

Pressed on the comments in a CNN interview, Hong avoided directly repudiating her earlier stance but stressed that "views can evolve", while in a later Politico Playbook podcast appearance she declared Thanksgiving her "favourite holiday" and said she did not want it cancelled. A Marquette Law School poll from 22 July put Hong ahead in the Democratic primary with 26% support, with Mandela Barnes second on 15% before dropping out, and 45% of voters still undecided. Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Tom Tiffany both seized on the posts to attack Hong, while Evers has instead backed Milwaukee County executive David Crowley as his preferred successor.