Francesca Hong Hosts Hasan Piker at Milwaukee Campaign Rally

Francesca Hong, a Democratic candidate for governor in Wisconsin, hosted commentator Hasan Piker at a campaign rally in Milwaukee on August 2, 2026. The event, attended by Representative Ilhan Omar, emphasized Hong's populist messaging regarding the cost of living and her support from the Democratic Socialists of America. Piker, known for his leftist views, spoke about Wisconsin's historical role in the American socialist movement, receiving a standing ovation from attendees. He expressed confidence in Hong's campaign, stating, "Not only are we going to run up the numbers for Francesca Hong on Aug. 11, but we are going to take that victory to the general election to make sure that the Republican Tom Tiffany never gets a seat of power ever again!" Hong's main opponent, David Crowley, criticized her association with Piker, while Republican candidate Tom Tiffany commented on her decision to campaign with him. In response to concerns about the risks of campaigning with Piker, Hong stated the importance of building a broad coalition. A recent poll indicated that Hong leads the Democratic primary field by over 20 percentage points.