Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Rep. Francesca Hong announced she has been endorsed by the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance (WMCA) ahead of the August Democratic primary.
Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the first Asian American member of the Wisconsin Legislature, praised the group as a “powerful force for justice” that defends civil rights and empowers immigrant families.
The WMCA, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit founded in 2019 and based in the Milwaukee area, describes itself as an advocate for Wisconsin’s Muslim communities (estimated at over 70,000), focusing on civic engagement, voter turnout, religious accommodations, immigrant/refugee support, and social justice issues.
WMCA has been active in endorsing Democratic candidates and pushing policies such as opposing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, supporting efforts to repeal Wisconsin’s anti-BDS law (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions), and advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. Its candidate vetting process explicitly scores applicants on these positions along with stances on immigrant policy and hate crime prevention.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), particularly its Wisconsin chapters, shows significant ideological alignment and collaborative influence with WMCA. Both organizations endorsed Francesca Hong for governor — DSA chapters (Madison and Milwaukee) earlier in the cycle, followed by WMCA. They have co-participated in pro-Palestine marches and progressive coalitions in Milwaukee.
This convergence appears in shared policies, including strong support for BDS, resistance to standard antisemitism definitions, expansive immigrant protections, and critiques of U.S. foreign policy. DSA provides socialist messaging and grassroots energy, while WMCA mobilizes Muslim voters, creating mutual reinforcement in far-left electoral efforts. Critics argue this alignment imports more radical elements into mainstream Democratic primaries.
Hong, who has introduced legislation opposing Wisconsin’s anti-BDS measures and advocated for a ceasefire, aligns closely with both groups’ priorities. She is running as a democratic socialist emphasizing working-class issues, universal programs, expansive DEI and equity policies, abolishing law enforcement, and progressive foreign policy stances.
This endorsement highlights the growing intersection of DSA-aligned socialism and organized Muslim advocacy in Wisconsin Democratic politics. Hong faces other candidates in the August 11 primary, with the general election in November.
