Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong will hold a rally with Minnesota U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar in Milwaukee on Sunday, August 2, according to a report from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel political reporter Molly Beck.
The event is part of Hong’s “We Make Better Possible” rally tour. Details released by her campaign indicate it is scheduled for the late morning into early afternoon, with the exact location to be shared the day of the event. Speeches, live music, and campaign merchandise are expected, followed by neighborhood canvassing.
Hong, a Madison state representative first elected in 2020, is the current frontrunner in the crowded Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor. The primary is set for August 11. Other Democrats still in the race include Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (who has Evers’ endorsement), state Sen. Kelda Roys, and former state administration secretary Joel Brennan.
A democratic socialist and the first Asian American elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, Hong has built her campaign around a “permanent affordability” platform. She emphasizes fully funding public schools, universal childcare, paid family and medical leave, and creating a state public bank. She has highlighted her background as a chef, bartender, single mother, and daughter of Korean immigrants. Recent polling has shown her leading the field, often by double digits, though a significant share of Democratic voters remain undecided.
Omar’s appearance continues a parade of DSA and far-left progressive national endorsements for Hong. Omar and Minnesota State Sen. Omar Fateh have both endorsed her. The joint event in Milwaukee comes as Hong seeks to expand her base in the state’s largest city (likely aiming to take away votes from David Crowley) ahead of the primary.
The rally further amplifies Hong’s far-left positioning and questions her general-election viability against the likely Republican nominee, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, in the most 50/50 swing state in the country. Some centrist Democrats have expressed similar electability concerns about Hong’s democratic socialist label and past radical stances, though she has attempted to moderate some of her DSA messaging this week.
Hong’s campaign has framed the event as part of a broader people-powered initiative focused on working-class issues. With less than two weeks until primary day, the Milwaukee appearance with Omar represents a high-profile effort to energize far-left progressive voters in a key urban area.
