MILWAUKEE — Progressives for Democracy in America (PDA) and Young Progressive Democrats of America (YPDA) proudly endorse Francesca Hong for Governor of Wisconsin.

We have never been so thrilled to endorse a gubernatorial candidate. We are confident that when elected, Francesca Hong will redefine what a governor can achieve in the 21st century.

Alan Minsky, executive director of Progressives for Democracy in America, observes: “When I first met Francesca a few years ago, I was impressed. Independent of any coordination with myself, she was advocating for an Economic Bill of Rights for the people of Wisconsin. I advocate for this nationally. I believe it is the best framing device to make clear that with the right policies in place, all Americans can live prosperous lives given the tremendous wealth that our society generates.

“Then, over the past six months, I have been so impressed, just like hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites, by Francesca’s campaign. On literally any issue of relevance to the lives of the people of Wisconsin, Francesca has a well thought out position which focuses on the welfare of the average working person. I’ve rarely encountered a candidate for higher office so tuned into the needs of working families. Francesca is exactly the type of politician the American people want in the 21st Century.”

William Walter, steering committee member of YPDA, was born and raised in Wisconsin. He added, “Speaking of Wisconsin, from Wisconsin, Francesca Hong is the bold, transformative leader capable of redefining what a Governor can achieve by delivering for Wisconsin in ways recently thought impossible. The energy around her campaign is mesmerizing; Francesca has not only impressed Wisconsinites statewide, she has INSPIRED them to believe in better. She knows better is not only possible, but inevitable, if we all work towards that common goal.

“She has reignited a movement, centered around the understanding that “We make better possible”. This movement, a century in the making, is built on the shoulders of Progressive giants. Titans of “Forward”-thinking policy, like Fighting Bob LaFollette and the sewer socialists of Milwaukee, laid the foundation; Francesca Hong is ready to harness our people-power, organize the many to defeat the money, and fulfill the Wisconsin Idea for all Wisconsinites across the state. Francesca Hong’s principled vision and steadfast commitment to people over profit make her the leader Wisconsin not only needs, but the leader Wisconsin DESERVES.”

For such a great candidate for governor to emerge in Wisconsin should be no surprise. Francesca Hong is the perfect person to continue the legacy of Bob LaFollette and the great sewer socialist mayors of Milwaukee. Like these paragons from earlier generations, Francesca Hong will point the progressive way forward from Wisconsin to the rest of the country.”

The membership of PDA and YPDA will be making calls and knocking on doors across the state between now and the primary on Tuesday, August 11th. We encourage all progressives to join with us in helping to elect a brilliant, trailblazing candidate, Francesca Hong, to the governorship of Wisconsin.

As always, with a PDA-endorsed candidate, the decision comes from the grassroots up. A PDA-endorsed candidate must win at least 60% of the vote in our statewide straw poll to earn the state endorsement and be considered for a national endorsement. We polled our entire membership in the state of Wisconsin, and Francesca won almost 90% of the vote. The national elections committee confirmed its support with a unanimous vote.

Progressives for Democracy in America is a 501(c)4 organization, affiliated with the legendary federal PAC Progressive Democrats of America, which transformed American politics by drafting Bernie Sanders to run for President as a Democrat in 2016.