Former Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong said that she, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul el Sayed face different “expectations” as politicians because they are “people of color.”
“Well, first of all, look at what happened when you’re out here parading [former Republican Wyoming U.S. Rep.] Liz Cheney during a campaign, and of course, you know Mayor Mamdani and Dr. Sayed and I just happen to be people of color. They said this about [South African President Nelson] Mandela, too, and the electability argument is so tired, but I know that the expectations are different for us,” Hong said during an interview with The Left Hook with Wajahat Ali podcast released Aug. 7, four days ahead of the Wisconsin primary.
Hong made the comments after host Ali asked her what it is about her, el Sayed, and Mamdani that has made them targets of the Democratic establishment and its donors, despite their strong polling numbers.
Hong, a two-term Wisconsin state lawmaker from Madison who ran for governor as a self-described “democratic socialist,” has campaigned on policies including universal childcare and free school meals. Her campaign ultimately fell short Tuesday when Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated her in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, securing his narrow win with 39.8% of the vote, compared to Hong’s 39.4%.
Mamdani, a socialist, became New York City’s mayor after running on an affordability-focused agenda, defeating former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former Mayor Eric Adams, both of whom were embroiled in high-profile scandals. Mamdani’s victory made him the city’s first Muslim mayor and first South Asian mayor, and has remained an important part of the political discussion around his tenure.
FRANCESCA HONG LOSES TO DAVID CROWLEY IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR WISCONSIN GOVERNOR RACE
Abdul el Sayed recently defeated Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, securing another high-profile victory for the party’s progressive wing. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) endorsed el Sayed during the primary, framing his campaign as part of growing anti-establishment momentum among Democratic voters, but notably did not endorse Hong.
Hong’s comments come as Democrats continue debating how progressive candidates navigate questions of race, identity, ideology, and electability.