Francesca Hong and the Thanksgiving Controversy
Updated: August 12, 2026
Francesca Hong and Thanksgiving became an unexpected national political story during Wisconsin's 2026 gubernatorial campaign after a social media post she made in 2020 resurfaced shortly before the Democratic primary.
Hong, a Democratic socialist and Wisconsin state representative from Madison, had emerged as a leading candidate in the Democratic race for governor. But scrutiny of her previous comments intensified in early August after a deleted post in which she called for Thanksgiving to be canceled was widely circulated again. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
The controversy became particularly significant because it unfolded immediately before the August 11 Democratic primary. The election ultimately produced a narrow upset: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated Hong, with Crowley receiving about 39.8% of the vote and Hong about 39.4% with nearly all votes counted. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
What Did Francesca Hong Say About Thanksgiving?
The controversy centers on a social media post Hong made in November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the now-deleted post, Hong called for Thanksgiving to be canceled and connected the holiday with the history of colonialism and the suffering of Indigenous people. The post resurfaced in 2026 and quickly became a major talking point among her political opponents. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
The timing was politically significant. Hong was campaigning in a competitive Democratic primary and had become one of the most prominent progressive candidates in the Wisconsin governor's race.
Why Did the Old Post Resurface?
Hong's campaign had attracted growing national attention as she gained momentum in the Democratic primary.
Her progressive political positions, grassroots campaign style and background as a chef and former restaurant owner had already made her an unusual candidate in a closely watched swing state. As her support increased, her opponents and political commentators began examining older social media posts and statements. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
The Thanksgiving post became particularly prominent because Thanksgiving is one of the most widely recognized American holidays and because the comment was made several years before her gubernatorial campaign.
How Did Hong Respond?
Hong was questioned about the post during a CNN interview in early August.
Rather than simply repeating the wording of her old post, Hong emphasized her background as a chef and her belief that gathering people around a table can build community. She also said that Thanksgiving can be painful for some people because of its historical context and acknowledged that people's views can change over time. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Her response did not end the controversy. Critics argued that she had failed to give a simple answer about whether she still supported her earlier position, while supporters emphasized that the original post was made during an extraordinary period of the COVID-19 pandemic and that Hong's views had evolved. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Does Francesca Hong Want to Cancel Thanksgiving?
No. Hong's campaign later explicitly said that she does not want to cancel Thanksgiving. Her recent comments also emphasized the positive role that gathering around food and community can play. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
At the same time, Hong has continued to acknowledge that the holiday has complicated historical associations and that some people experience it differently.
This distinction became central to the political debate: critics focused on the wording of her old post, while Hong's more recent explanation focused on how her views have evolved and on the different ways people understand the holiday.
Hong's Background as a Chef
The Thanksgiving controversy became especially interesting because of Hong's professional background.
Before entering state politics, Hong worked as a chef and restaurant owner. During her response to questions about Thanksgiving, she pointed to that experience and described bringing people together around food as an important part of her identity. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
That background gave her a different perspective on the holiday controversy. Rather than presenting food and community gatherings as inherently negative, Hong argued that they can bring people together while still allowing room for discussion about historical issues.
The Controversy Became Part of a Bigger Political Debate
The Thanksgiving story was not isolated from the broader debate surrounding Hong's candidacy.
Hong had positioned herself as a democratic socialist with a strongly progressive platform. Her campaign included proposals involving universal childcare, public education and other progressive priorities. She also called for a moratorium on data centers, an issue that distinguished her from other Democratic candidates. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Her earlier statements on policing and other issues also attracted scrutiny during the campaign.
In interviews, Hong sought to distinguish her current policy positions from some of her older activist-era statements. She said she does not intend to abolish the police as governor and emphasized public safety and accountability in law enforcement. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Why Thanksgiving Became a Political Issue
Thanksgiving carries a unique cultural significance in the United States. Millions of Americans associate it with family gatherings, food, football, travel and traditions passed between generations.
At the same time, the holiday's historical origins are debated, particularly regarding colonialism and the experiences of Indigenous peoples.
Hong's 2020 post placed her directly within that broader debate. For critics, the wording represented an attack on a major American tradition. For supporters, the comments reflected a willingness to discuss uncomfortable aspects of American history.
That disagreement became politically relevant because Hong was no longer simply commenting as a private citizen. She was seeking the Democratic nomination for governor of Wisconsin.
The Timing Was Crucial
The controversy intensified just days before Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary on August 11, 2026.
Hong had been considered the frontrunner in the Democratic field. A Marquette University poll released shortly before the primary showed Hong with 38% support among Democratic primary voters, well ahead of her closest listed rival at the time. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
The race changed dramatically after several candidates left or reshaped their campaigns. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley became Hong's principal challenger.
On election night, Crowley ultimately pulled off a narrow upset.
David Crowley Defeated Hong
The controversy surrounding Thanksgiving became part of the larger story of an unexpectedly close Democratic primary.
According to results reported after the August 11 election, Crowley won approximately 39.8% of the vote, while Hong received approximately 39.4%. The margin was only around 3,000 votes when the race was called. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Crowley will advance to the November general election against Republican nominee Tom Tiffany. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
The result means Hong will not become the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin governor in 2026.
Did the Thanksgiving Controversy Cost Hong the Election?
It is impossible to determine from the available election results whether the Thanksgiving controversy directly caused Hong to lose.
Elections are influenced by many factors, including candidate preferences, campaign organization, fundraising, endorsements, policy positions, turnout and perceptions of electability.
The controversy nevertheless became a significant part of the final days of the campaign and received national media attention. It also contributed to broader discussions about whether a strongly progressive candidate could win a statewide election in Wisconsin. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Why the Story Spread Nationally
Hong's Thanksgiving comments received attention well beyond Wisconsin.
The combination of a major American holiday, a resurfaced social media post and a competitive gubernatorial election created a highly shareable political story.
The controversy also arrived during a period in which progressive candidates across the United States were receiving increased attention in Democratic primaries. Hong's candidacy was therefore viewed by some observers as part of a broader debate about the direction of the Democratic Party. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
What Hong's Campaign Said
Hong's campaign rejected the idea that she currently wants to eliminate Thanksgiving.
Instead, her campaign emphasized her background in hospitality and her belief in bringing people together. The campaign also argued that views can develop over time and that discussing historical problems does not necessarily mean rejecting the holiday altogether. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
The Larger Debate About Political Posts From 2020
Hong's experience also illustrates a broader issue facing political candidates in 2026: social media posts made during the highly polarized political environment of 2020 can resurface years later.
During the pandemic and the racial-justice protests of that period, political conversations on social media became unusually intense. Statements that candidates made as activists or private citizens can later be examined through the lens of their campaigns for public office.
Hong's Thanksgiving controversy is therefore not only about one holiday. It is also about how voters evaluate old statements, whether politicians should be judged by their past views and how much political candidates are allowed to change their positions.
What Happened in the Wisconsin Primary?
The August 11 Democratic primary ultimately ended with Crowley defeating Hong in a remarkably close contest.
| Candidate | Result | Approx. Vote Share |
|---|---|---|
| David Crowley | Won Democratic primary | 39.8% |
| Francesca Hong | Second place | 39.4% |
| Kelda Roys | Third place | 7.5% |
| Joel Brennan | Fourth place | 4.7% |
The results show just how competitive the Democratic primary became. Crowley and Hong together dominated the contest, while the remaining candidates finished far behind. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
What Happens to Hong Now?
Hong remains a Wisconsin state representative, but she will not advance as the Democratic nominee for governor in the 2026 general election.
The primary result marks a major turning point for a campaign that had generated significant national attention and built a strong grassroots following.
Her candidacy nevertheless demonstrated that a progressive democratic socialist could become highly competitive in a major statewide Democratic primary in Wisconsin.
Final Thoughts
The Francesca Hong Thanksgiving controversy began with a social media post from 2020 but became a major political story six years later when Hong was campaigning for governor of Wisconsin.
Hong's old post called for canceling Thanksgiving and criticized the holiday's connection to colonial history. In 2026, she said her views had evolved, highlighted her background as a chef and emphasized the value of bringing people together around food and conversation. Her campaign explicitly said she does not want to cancel Thanksgiving. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
The controversy became part of a much larger debate about Hong's progressive political identity, her older social media statements and whether voters in a closely contested state would support her approach.
In the end, however, the Wisconsin Democratic primary was decided by a razor-thin margin. David Crowley defeated Hong by roughly 3,000 votes and will face Republican Tom Tiffany in November. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
Whether the Thanksgiving controversy materially influenced the result cannot be established from the election numbers alone. What is clear is that an old social media post became one of the defining stories surrounding Hong's final days as a gubernatorial candidate.
Sources and Further Reading
- Francesca Hong's response to the resurfaced Thanksgiving post and the 2026 Wisconsin primary. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
- Wisconsin Public Radio reporting on Hong's deleted 2020 post and subsequent response. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
- Forbes reporting on the August 11 Democratic primary result. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
- CBS News coverage of David Crowley's primary victory. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
- The Guardian's analysis of Hong's 2026 gubernatorial campaign. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
Editorial note: This article was updated on August 12, 2026. It distinguishes Hong's historical comments from her more recent statements and does not claim that the Thanksgiving controversy caused her primary defeat. Political results and reported vote totals are based on current reporting and may be updated as final results are certified.
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