Democratic Wisconsin gubernatorial front-runner Francesca Hong is facing fresh scrutiny after a years-old social media post calling to “Abolish the Senate” resurfaced, even as her campaign now insists she never took that position.
“Abolish the Senate,” Hong, a self-described socialist, wrote in February 2021 while replying to a post from human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid. The post remained live on X as of Wednesday afternoon.
Despite the public post, a spokesperson for Hong’s campaign pushed back on the claim in comments to Fox News, arguing that Hong has never advocated eliminating the U.S. Senate.
The dispute erupted after Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, the leading GOP candidate for Wisconsin governor, blasted Hong following Tuesday night’s Democratic primary debate.
Tiffany said Hong “has called to abolish the police, prisons, and the U.S. Senate.”
Hong’s campaign told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the Democratic state lawmaker did not remember making the 2021 post and has since clarified her position during recent media interviews.
According to the spokesperson, Hong wrote “Abolish the Senate” one day after the Senate failed to convict President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial over the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol breach. Although 57 senators voted to convict, the total fell 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction.
POLL: Do You Approve Of Secretary Of War Pete Hegseth?
The campaign said the post reflected Hong’s frustration with Trump’s acquittal rather than a lasting policy position.
“It is not her current position, and it is not something a governor has any role in. She’s running to lower costs, fund public schools, and make childcare affordable,” the spokesperson said.
The campaign also flatly denied Tiffany’s accusation.
“Rep. Hong has never called for abolishing the U.S. Senate. Tiffany cannot produce a single statement where she did, because it doesn’t exist,” the spokesperson told Fox originally.
The exchange comes as Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, leads the Democratic primary field ahead of the Aug. 11 election.
A July Marquette Law School poll found Hong with 38% support among Democratic primary voters, followed by former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes at 16% and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley at 7%. A large share of voters remained undecided.
The race to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is not seeking another term, is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive gubernatorial contests. Evers has endorsed Crowley, while the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the general election as a “toss-up.”
POLL: Ilhan Omar Now Claims She’s Broke – Do You Believe Her?
