Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong reverses on defund police in Fox News interview

Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong walked back her prior calls to defund and abolish police during a live "America's Newsroom" appearance Friday, telling Fox News anchor Dana Perino she "won't defund the police" if elected. Hong confirmed she is a dues-paying member of the Democratic Socialists of America, a membership she placed at her Madison chapter going back to 2020. The Wisconsin Democratic primary is the next confirmable milestone for her candidacy.

Membership confirmed, key positions walked back

Hong described herself on air as "a democratic socialist," "a good single mom," and "a service industry worker." Asked by Perino whether anything in the DSA platform gave her pause, Hong rejected two positions: abolishing the Senate, which she labeled "nonsensical and non-practical at this time," and eliminating the Supreme Court, citing a belief in checks and balances.

The exchange over police was sharper. Perino asked directly why voters should not take Hong at her word given a 2021 social media post calling for police abolition. Hong said her views had evolved and pointed to the potential for former Trump voters to back her candidacy. When Perino then asked whether the voter or Hong herself needed to evolve, Hong rejected the earlier position and noted the Wisconsin governorship carries no authority to defund police.

The record behind the reversal

Hong posted in support of abolishing police in 2021 after federal prosecutors chose not to charge the officer who shot Jacob Blake in Kenosha. She addressed those comments in a May statement to Fox News Digital but did not say then whether she still held that view.

Her campaign separately addressed a 2021 post about abolishing the Senate, saying she did not recall making it. That post followed the Senate's failure to convict President Donald Trump in impeachment proceedings.

In June, Hong appeared on Hasan Piker's broadcast and confirmed support for universal childcare, free school meals, abolishing ICE, public grocery stores, and legalizing cannabis.

What to watch

Polling has Hong positioned to win the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in Wisconsin. She carries backing from local Wisconsin DSA chapters and public endorsements from Representatives Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna. DSA candidates have won primaries in New York and Colorado while moderate Democrats reject the platform, a rift now visible inside the party. On Friday, Hong told Perino: "There is no way I want to cut resources for public safety."