ToplineWisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate, state Rep. Francesca Hong, is the latest socialist candidate to make waves this primary season, but some prominent progressives have refused to endorse her—as a chaotic primary season has shaken the party’s identity. Wisconsin Gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong (L) listen to Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speak before being introduced during a campaign rally on August 2, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images)Getty ImagesKey FactsRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have not endorsed Hong, with Warren telling Politico in a piece published Tuesday, “I don’t know her,” while Sanders told Pod Save America recently he was “not that familiar” with the Wisconsin governor’s race, noting he hasn’t been involved in many gubernatorial races.Ocasio-Cortez told ABC News over the weekend she didn’t endorse anyone in Hong’s race, because she’s been focused on congressional races, but defended Hong against criticism of previous controversial statements, including cancelling Thanksgiving and wanting to abolish the police, telling the network Hong has revised some of her stances.While it’s not uncommon for members of Congress to stay out of state-level races in states they don’t represent, political watchers have speculated that progressive leaders might be avoiding Hong’s race after they were burned by Graham Platner, the former Maine Democratic Senate nominee who was forced to drop out of the race after a string of controversies, culminating in allegations of sexual assault.Polls show Hong likely winning Tuesday’s primary, but some Democrats are warning that she might not be able to beat presumptive Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in the general election.Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who endorsed her opponent, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, said “probably not” when asked recently by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel if Hong could win in November and he would not commit to endorsing her or campaigning with her if she wins the primary, he told Politico.In a sign that Republicans view Hong as a weaker candidate, an ad by Right Direction Wisconsin, which is linked to the Republican Governors Association, billed Hong as too liberal and highlighted her push to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is a strategy some consider designed to rally support among Democratic voters, The New York Times noted. ContraProgressive Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., have formally endorsed Hong.What To Watch ForPolls show Hong is likely to win Tuesday’s primary, but faces a tough challenge against Tiffany in the general election. A recent State Navigate poll shows Hong losing support to Tiffany among Democratic primary voters in November—70% said they would definitely back Hong, but 3% said they would probably support Tiffany and 5% said they would definitely back Tiffany. A Marquette Law School poll also found Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes, who has since dropped out, was the only Democratic primary candidate with an advantage over Tiffany in the general election, while Hong trailed Tiffany by three percentage points. Big Number95.5%. Those are Hong’s odds of winning the primary, according to the Kalshi prediction market. TangentAbdul El-Sayed’s win in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary is another swing state race that will test the progressive movement in the general election. El-Sayed won his primary by a thinner-than-expected margin last week, and polls show a near-tie between him and the Republican nominee, former Rep. Mike Rogers. President Donald Trump celebrated El-Sayed’s win as “great news for the Republican Party.” Unlike Hong, El-Sayed isn’t an official member of the Democratic Socialists of America and he had the backing of prominent progressives, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., though it’s not uncommon that they wouldn’t make endorsements in gubernatorial races in states they don’t represent. CRUCIAL QUOTE“It would be good for @AbdulElSayed if Francesca Hong loses her bid to become the Democratic nominee in Wisconsin next week,” longtime Democratic campaign adviser David Axelrod tweeted last week. “He is a serious person. She is a font of zany liberal, faculty lounge exotica.”Key BackgroundHong is among four Democrats running to replace Evers, who is retiring at the end of the year. Crowley initially suspended his campaign in early July and endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, then re-entered the race 10 days later when Rodriguez dropped out. Barnes also dropped out, citing Hong’s lead in a statement. Hong has faced criticism for a series of controversial past social media posts, including bashing Thanksgiving in 2020, alleging the holiday is “celebrating colonialism.” She faced more criticism for her roundabout answer to CNN last week when asked if she wanted to “cancel Thanksgiving,” as she advocated for in 2020, then reversed her position in an interview with Politico, telling the outlet last week it’s actually her favorite holiday.further readingWisconsin Gov. Candidate Hong Faces Backlash Over ‘Cancel Thanksgiving’ Comment—Even From Democrats (Forbes)Progressive El-Sayed Wins Michigan’s Democratic Senate Primary—Results Much Closer Than Expected (Forbes)Establishment Democrats Line Up Behind Progressive El-Sayed After Tight Race Divided Party (Forbes)