The Democratic Party primary election for Governor is August 11, 2026.

There is recent intensity in the campaign. The current Lieutenant Governor is out, the
Milwaukee County Executive is back in and Governor Evers has endorsed, after refusing
previous requests.

It is time to come together and support Representative Francesca Hong, Democrat of
Madison.

Rep. Hong consistently leads in the polls. The excitement of her volunteer campaign,
combined with Representative Hong’s calm and consistent contact with voters in all 72
Counties of Wisconsin, shows she is a winner – and the candidate we need now.

I have known every Wisconsin Democratic Governor since the Party’s rise in the 1950s.

Gaylord Nelson was the Father of Earth Day. Pat Lucey was the architect of the University of
Wisconsin System. Martin Schrieber was a predecessor in my Sixth Senate Seat and served
our City and State with dignity. Tony Earl was a Model Gentleman and calm leader. All served
in the Wisconsin Legislature, as does Representative Hong. Gov. Jim Doyle’s mother, Ruth
Bachhuber Doyle, a founder of our modern party, served in the Legislature, rare for a woman,
in the 1949 and 1951 Sessions. Our Party must welcome Rep. Hong the same way.

There’s no doubt that there are apparent differences between Representative Hong and
previous democratic governors, who were nominated by our Democratic Party before their
election. But in one way they are identical. All those democratic governors were ready to serve
and were the leaders we needed at the time. Francesca Hong is that leader today.

Across the country there is an energy within the Democratic Electorate for change. Opposition
to data centers. Support for a return to a broader healthcare support system for all our citizens.
Thoughtful management of our natural resources and protection of our environment. And of
course, access to quality and affordable education. We are called to stand against the
movement that takes us backward. The support Francesca has developed in our State is proof
that her message is “The message” that our party wants to hear, and General Election voters
will respond to.

I served almost a quarter of a century in the Wisconsin Legislature, including a long tenure as
Joint Finance Chair. Francesca Hong has what it takes to lead us during the dangerous times
of Trump politics of war and inflation and failure to build a constitutional consensus.

I endorse Wisconsin State Representative Hong (Democrat – District 76) from our State
Capitol Madison, where she attended Madison West High School. She is one of us and has
earned our votes on August 11th or via early voting.