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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was asked if he will endorse Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) member Francesca Hong’s Wisconsin gubernatorial bid and his response sparked immediate mockery on social media.
“I don’t think so,” the Vermont socialist told Pod Save America host Jon Favreau when asked if he is going to endorse Hong’s campaign for governor. “I met Francesca a couple of years ago, I was in Wisconsin, and she seems very, very nice, but again this is a race I’m just not that familiar with.”
Sanders added that “we have not gotten involved in many governors races” other than recently in Maine where he endorsed Democrat Troy Jackson, who ultimately replaced disgraced Senate candidate Graham Platner, a candidate Sanders endorsed.
Political commentators quickly chimed in on social media suggesting that Sanders not endorsing Hong shows the senator doesn’t think she can win, with many pointing to Sanders’ strident support of Platner despite all of his political baggage.
AFTER PLATNER IMPLOSION, MAINE DEMOCRATS RUSH TOWARD NEW SENATE NOMINEE DESPITE FRESH WARNING SIGNS
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Wednesday on the Pod Save America podcast that he doesn’t think he’ll endorse Democratic socialist candidate Francesca Hong. ( )
“Bernie says he’s not backing Francesca Hong because he’s focused on the Senate,” Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross posted on X. “Yet he’s endorsed in mayoral races, House races, and Troy Jackson’s failed governor race in Maine. That’s how whacky Hong is .”
“Says a lot,” Politico reporter Will Steakin posted on X.
“Guy with the Nazi Tattoo ‘hey everyone makes mistakes’,” conservative commentator Stephen L. Miller posted on X. “Crazy communist lady – ‘not my cup of tea sorry.’”
SOCIALIST FRONTRUNNER IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER ‘CANCEL THANKSGIVING’ POST EMERGES ONLINE
Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong listens to Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speak before being introduced during a campaign rally on Aug. 2, 2026, in Milwaukee. Hong, a democratic socialist in the state legislature, has seen an uptick in recent poll numbers. (Joshua Lott/Getty Images)
“This guy endorsed a guy with a natzi [sic] tat but thinks @FrancescaHongWi is not worth an endorsement……,” Jerry Ponio, legislative director for Americans for Prosperity – Wisconsin, posted on X. “Yikes.”
“Well, I guess even Bernie enjoys celebrating Thanksgiving at one of his three houses,” an account ran by Hong’s likely general election opponent, Republican Tom Tiffany, posted on X.
Tiffany’s post references a controversial quote from Hong that went viral on social media where she suggested canceling Thanksgiving.
“Francesca Hong, who is a Socialist candidate for Governor of Wisconsin is too radical…even for Bernie Sanders,” Turning Point Action Northeast Manager Brandon Maly posted on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Hong campaign and Sanders’ office for comment.
Critics have argued that Francesca Hong’s politics are too far to the left for a swing state like Wisconsin, contending that her identification as a socialist and support for ambitious progressive policies could make her less competitive in a general election.
Hong’s social media account is littered with far-left pledges like abolishing the U.S. Senate and defunding the police.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders reacts to questions from a Fox News Digital reporter about Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner’s resurfaced Reddit posts while walking through the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Hong recently tried to walk back those positions in recent interviews ahead of Tuesday’s gubernatorial primary against Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Wisconsin Department of Administration secretary Joel Brennan, and Democratic state Sen. Kelda Roys.
Polls suggest Hong is likely to comfortably win that contest which will advance her to a race against Tiffany, the likely Republican nominee, in November.