Francesca Hong says Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday: ‘I don’t want to cancel it’

Campaign Francesca Hong says Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday: ‘I don’t want to cancel it’ Comments: by Mira Bhakta - 08/05/26 5:26 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Mira Bhakta - 08/05/26 5:26 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Democratic socialist and former Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong (D) walked back on her previous social media post calling to “cancel Thanksgiving,” telling Politico’s Irie Sentner in an interview Wednesday that the holiday is her “favorite.”

Hong, a professional chef and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate, added that she “actually loves” Thanksgiving. The former state representative originally defended the post, published to the social platform X in 2021, during a Monday CNN appearance — sparking criticism from Republicans and political strategists.

“I’m just going to be real, I’m kind of a curmudgeon when it comes to holidays in general,” Hong said. “But right now, what we want to get serious about is making sure we deliver a Democratic trifecta.”

The post — now deleted — read, “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621.” During her CNN interview, the gubernatorial candidate described the holiday as a “time that’s incredibly painful for many people in our communities.” Though she added that “views can evolve.”

Hong is running for governor to replace retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D-Wisc.). Her top competitor, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (D-Wisc.), suspended his campaign following allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace.

The democratic socialist will face off against include Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Wisc.) and Joel Brennan in the Aug. 11 primary.

Progressive Democrats, such as Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), have endorsed Hong in the race; though the outgoing governor backed Crowley.

In a July Marquette University poll, Hong pulled ahead at 38 percent in the crowded Democratic primary with Barnes in second at 16 percent.

Hong is a member of Madison’s chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). While local DSA chapters have endorsed the former state representative, Hong has distanced herself from the national chapter.

“The governor cannot defund police, and I’m not here to govern by slogan,” Hong said, in reference to one of DSA’s platforms, at the Wisconsin Democratic Party’s only gubernatorial debate last month.

Hong also told The Hill her post about Thanksgiving “could” have been made in jest.

“These are beliefs that I held when I was in different positions myself, and right now I’m in the position of running for governor,” she said. “I need to be sensible, sensible and practical on what we can achieve.”

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