AOC calls Hong’s 2020 remark ‘crazy’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Sunday called out Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong’s past progressive stances, quoting a New York City Council member by saying “Woke 1 was crazy.” The comment came during an ABC News interview on “This Week” when host Jonathan Karl pressed Ocasio-Cortez on Hong’s earlier statements, including her 2020 call to “cancel Thanksgiving” over its ties to colonialism and Indigenous oppression.

Hong, a Madison restaurateur and first-time candidate, has faced scrutiny over her past activism as a University of Wisconsin student and political newcomer. In 2020, she co-signed a letter urging boycotts of the holiday, arguing it celebrated a legacy of genocide against Native Americans. Ocasio-Cortez’s remark signals growing unease among some Democrats about progressive rhetoric that critics say alienates swing voters ahead of the 2024 election. The party is already fighting to hold the White House and regain control of Congress, where centrists have warned that bold progressive messaging could backfire in battleground states.

Ocasio-Cortez’s criticism is part of a broader Democratic divide over how far to push cultural debates while focusing on kitchen-table issues like inflation and healthcare. Wisconsin, a perennial swing state, will be critical in next year’s election, and Hong’s campaign has struggled to broaden her appeal beyond progressive circles. Her 2020 remarks resurfaced last week after the Democratic Governors Association endorsed her, reigniting debates about the party’s messaging strategy. Some Democrats privately worry that Hong’s past positions could give Republicans an opening to paint Wisconsin Democrats as out of touch with working-class voters.

The fallout could shape how the party navigates similar controversies in tight races. Ocasio-Cortez’s comments suggest a shift among some progressives toward moderating their tone, even as younger voters demand bold stances on racial and economic justice. Hong’s campaign has since pivoted to economic issues, but the damage lingers. If her past statements continue to draw attention, it could hurt her chances against Republican candidate Robin Vos, the state Assembly speaker, in a race that could influence control of the governor’s office next November. The episode underscores the tightrope Democrats must walk between energizing their base and appealing to the middle.