Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong is facing criticism after appearing on Hasan Piker's livestream, which helped her raise more than $57,000 before a key fundraising deadline. Critics pointed to Piker's past controversial remarks, including comments about 9/11 and Israel. Hong defended her decision, saying candidates should engage with large audiences despite disagreeing with some of Piker's statements. The appearance has sparked debate among Democrats and Republicans ahead of Wisconsin's August 11 primary.Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong is in the middle of a political firestorm after appearing on a livestream hosted by controversial online commentator Hasan Piker. The appearance helped her campaign raise tens of thousands of dollars just prior to a key fundraising deadline but also drew criticism from political rivals and conservatives questioning her decision to share a stage with the internet personality.Francesca Hong raises over $57K after Hasan Piker livestreamHong, a Democratic state representative and self-described democratic socialist, appeared on Piker's livestream on June 29. During the roughly 90-minute conversation, she discussed her campaign priorities, Wisconsin politics, the future of organized labor, the Milwaukee Bucks, Madison's restaurant scene, and the challenges facing working families across the state.The timing proved significant. Her campaign raised more than $57,000 during the livestream, followed by another nearly $35,000 later that day through an appearance on another political stream. Both events came just one day before the close of the campaign finance reporting period, giving her fundraising efforts a major late boost ahead of the July filing deadline.Despite the criticism surrounding Piker, Hong defended her decision to appear on the stream. She argued that political candidates cannot afford to ignore influential digital platforms with millions of viewers."The person who wins the most votes is the most electable," Hong said.She later explained why she chose to engage with Piker's audience despite disagreeing with some of his past remarks."I think that it’s essential that candidates go on and have conversations with people who have huge audiences, because otherwise we cede that space," Hong said.Hong also made it clear that supporting broader conversations does not mean endorsing everything said by the host."I don't necessarily agree with every single statement Hasan has ever made, but it’s inarguable that he uses his massive platform to stand up for working-class people, for trans people, for immigrants, and for other marginalized folks."She also rejected violent political rhetoric while addressing criticism tied to Piker's previous comments."I abhor political violence, continue to be the target of threats of political violence and have condemned violent rhetoric on multiple occasions," Hong said.Hasan Piker controversy fuels criticism from Republicans and fellow DemocratsThe appearance quickly became a flashpoint in Wisconsin's governor's race because of Piker's long history of controversial statements. The online commentator has previously faced criticism for saying America "deserved" the September 11 terrorist attacks before later describing that remark as "inappropriate." He has also been criticized over comments about Israel and Jewish communities, leading some organizations and lawmakers to accuse him of promoting antisemitic rhetoric. Piker has denied being antisemitic and says criticism of his views often conflates opposition to Israeli government policies with hostility toward Jewish people.Republican frontrunner Tom Tiffany sharply criticized Hong's decision."Any candidate for governor should have the judgment to reject that kind of extremism."He added:"Francesca Hong willingly appeared on the livestream of someone who has said America 'deserved 9/11,' praised Hezbollah terrorists and claimed, 'It doesn’t matter if rapes happened on October 7.' If the other Democrat candidates for governor refuse to condemn these statements, they’re making one thing clear: this is the extremism today’s Democrat Party fully embraces."The controversy also exposed divisions within the Democratic primary. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he would decline an invitation to appear with Piker, stating:"I am open to all reasonable, pragmatic conversations about how to move our state forward, but Hasan Piker’s statements are beyond the pale, and I would not appear with him if invited. This race isn't about who can generate the most viewers on their livestream by making outrageous and offensive statements."With Wisconsin's August 11 Democratic primary approaching, Hong's fundraising success has strengthened her campaign. At the same time, her decision to appear alongside one of the internet's most polarizing political commentators has become another issue voters will weigh as the race enters a crucial stretch.