This is probably my favorite headline from the postmortem of Tuesday's Wisconsin primary.
From the New York Post:
Holiday-hating Francesca Hong loses to David Crowley in Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary
Hating Thanksgiving may have saved Wisconsin. The media's promotion of this 2021 social media post from Democratic Socialist (DSA) candidate Francesca Hong, where she wrote that Thanksgiving should be "canceled," and the Democrat Party finally taking an opportunity to capitalize on the pure insanity of it, is probably part of how so-called moderate candidate David Crowley eked out a win over her.
Think about it: The very essence of Thanksgiving is in the word: "THANKS." Being grateful for what you have and being grateful for being together. It's why it's celebrated with the family, sometimes multiple families, or within a community of friends. It's a day to share joy, delight in togetherness, and stuff yourself with good food.
But Hong's hot take was that it should be canceled. When the public learned of this response, it brought immediate and then continued backlash. Hong was rightly cowed, which is why she did this hostage interview to try and walk it back.
WATCH:
David Crowley being the Democrat nominee for Wisconsin Governor would be devastating news for Tom Tiffany and the Republicans. Francesca Hong would have been so easy to win against because she hates Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/0fckOxcXcI https://t.co/WQkapsiwcF
— Andy froemel (@FroemelAndy) August 12, 2026
This is why DSA ultimately cannot win. They have the youthful energy, fire, and momentum, but their aims are ahistorical, anti-tradition, and totally absent of joy. The "pursuit of happiness" and "blessings of liberty" are literally a part of our founding documents; but while their rhetoric might tickle ears, it is ultimately devoid of joy, devoid of substance, and wholly destructive to liberty and freedom. The DSA lot are unhappy people who want everyone else to be as unhappy as they are. This hot take by Michigan DSA nominee for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed on football embodies this.
LISTEN:
Abdul El-Sayed on football: "Football is very much associated with a particularly masculine and oftentimes toxically masculine culture." pic.twitter.com/UqPxID8yD4
— Bobby LaValley (@Bobby_LaVallley) August 10, 2026
Football is toxically masculine? If he said this in Alabama, Georgia, OR Wisconsin, he'd be run out of town on a rail. DSA and their cohorts get no joy from traditional holidays and dislike typical American pursuits. Both transcend all the "isms," unify those from differing backgrounds, and provide a sense of joy and fun, if only for a few hours. But keeping people divided and angry at one another is the aim of DSA. Happy warriors ultimately win the day, but Hong, El-Sayed, and their cohorts are anything but.
This commenter said it well:
Francesca Hong’s loss in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary is a win for the Democratic Party and a win for America.
— Jamie Metzl (@JamieMetzl) August 12, 2026
The Democratic Party must unequivocally condemn and reject the anti-American bigotry of the DSA and embrace a positive platform for building a better future for…
Francesca Hong’s loss in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary is a win for the Democratic Party and a win for America.
The Democratic Party must unequivocally condemn and reject the anti-American bigotry of the DSA and embrace a positive platform for building a better future for all Americans.
Sadly, they won't, because the Democrat Party hates America and Americans as much as their DSA Frankenstein monster. The media-created Obama 2008 campaign hit that tone of being pro-America while maintaining that happy vibe: Hope. Change. Positive aspirations of "fundamentally transforming America." We know now that was all lies, and what they attempted to transform America into was roundly rejected because it brought about the first Donald Trump presidency. But campaigns must be won, and using aspirational language and marketing is going to get you halfway there, particularly if you don't have a strong or credible opponent.
Therein lies the burden of Republican candidate for WI governor Tom Tiffany, and frankly, any Republican headed toward the November general election. Will they be able to tap into President Ronald Reagan, our aspirational example, and channel that happy warrior while detailing sound fiscal policy that will give voters relief from the purported affordability crisis? For those who didn't escape the DSA-foil, will those Republican challengers be able to expand on how capitalism and free markets give freedom that fuels joy and possibility? Can they be a credible contrast to the bitter cynicism of an El-Sayed or NY DSA congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier?
This remains to be seen, but they're going to have to do this if they expect to win and provide the anti-venom to the DSA poison. Democrat strategist Melissa DeRosa thinks that Wisconsin is a bellwether.
Between Wisconsin, El Sayed’s razor thin margin in Michigan and the implosion of Platner in Maine, the perceived strength of the @DemSocialists is being exposed for what it is: superficial at best, contained to a handful of deep blue cities and congressional districts — and has… https://t.co/b1ZgC2Dyrx
— Melissa DeRosa (@melissadderosa) August 12, 2026
Between Wisconsin, El Sayed’s razor thin margin in Michigan and the implosion of Platner in Maine, the perceived strength of the @DemSocialists is being exposed for what it is: superficial at best, contained to a handful of deep blue cities and congressional districts — and has it not been for @MalloryMcMorrow and her disaster of a campaign, Dems nationally would have them in the rear view mirror going into the midterms
Here's where DeRosa is wrong: DSA will never be in the rearview. Their fangs are firmly embedded into the Democrat Party; it will just take some time for their venom to kill the host. Republicans must understand this and take advantage not by solely shouting about socialism and communism, but by tapping into the happy warrior and showing the contrast between sound policy and a joyful, productive life, versus taxing the rich and tossing others aside in order to feel like you have a foothold on life. While people with common sense may have pushed Francesca Hong out of the running, David Crowley and the Democrat Party he represents have no good ideas and even fewer solutions.
Republicans need to become effective communicators of the joy and the possibilities, while parlaying effective, accessible policies that will get Americans there.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
Help RedState continue to report on the Democrats’ radicalism and inform voters as our nation faces a crossroads. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member