Left-wing commentator Hasan Piker said Wednesday that Francesca Hong’s loss in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary shows that he should not be the “biggest surrogate” for a campaign.
Piker, an avowed socialist and streamer, has backed a number of anti-establishment Democrats during the 2026 cycle, including Hong and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed. Republicans and establishment Democrats alike have suggested that Piker’s past rhetoric could potentially drag down candidates, especially come November.
“This guy was Hong’s biggest surrogate,” Neera Tanden, a top aide in the Biden White House, wrote early Wednesday morning. “As I have said, campaigning with Piker is a death trap — possibly in a primary but certainly in the general election.”
Piker responded to Tanden’s statement later in the day, adding that, “yes, this is part of why we came close to a victory [in Wisconsin] but ultimately lost.”
“I should never be the biggest surrogate of a campaign. [Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairman Emeritus Mark Pocan (D-WI)], or national progs would’ve alleviated some of the ‘electability’ concerns of Hong which were overstated & outright weaponized in the last week blitz,” he wrote.
“Tightening comms is an easy fix for the general. Ultimately the platform was good and brought historic turnout,” Piker continued. “There won’t be a republican in the gov mansion, and I’m happy for that!”
GOP CONGRESSMAN SAYS DEMOCRATS ‘STOLE’ ELECTION FROM SOCIALIST FRANCESCA HONG
Hong entered election night with a double-digit polling lead over the field. She lost to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who had previously suspended his own campaign, by just 4,000 votes, despite the record turnout for a gubernatorial primary in the state.