Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist and Wisconsin state representative, has previously called for defunding and abolishing the police in response to incidents of police violence, including the shooting of Jacob Blake. In August 2020, she stated, "I support defunding the police as a first step towards abolishing the police." Following the shooting of Blake, who was shot seven times by police in Kenosha, Hong expressed her concerns about police practices and called for justice for victims of state-sanctioned violence.
In a recent statement, Hong clarified her position, stating, "There is no way I want to cut resources for public safety. I don’t like crime. I don’t like unsafe streets." She emphasized the need for community resources, including housing and mental health support. Hong is currently a candidate in the Democratic primary for governor of Wisconsin, facing competition from former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes.
The primary election is scheduled for August 11, and the winner will likely compete against Republican candidate Tom Tiffany, who criticized both Hong and Barnes for their positions on policing and criminal justice reform.