Key Points:

• Anyone is better than Tom Tiffany, who can’t admit the facts of free and fair elections
• Democrats are poised to shift the state forward to the future after 16 years of GOP bullshit.
• Francesca Hong is my pick for Wisconsin’s next governor

Introduction

On the Republican side, Tom Tiffany stands alone. The only thing you need to know about him is that he is an election denier. Anyone who still doubts and casts doubts about arguably the most scrutinized election in history has no place in politics. 

The peak for Democratic candidates for Governor has passed. Missy Hughes dropped out, narrowing the field to 7 from 8. It seems a bit much, but the internet says there were 10 in 2018. 

Since the beginning, I’ve favored two candidates, Rep. Francesca Hong and Lt Gov. Sara Rodriguez. I have gone back and forth, but have cast my lot with Francesca, donating for her campaign and offering to volunteer for it. Here’s why I hesitated, and why I’m all in.

Issues vs Policies

A common complaint of voters is not knowing what candidates stand for. Both have sections of their sites that cover where they stand. One glance will show you these two candidates are not the same. 

Sara’s section is titled Issues, with just over a dozen represented. Each issue includes some bullet points and specific details; however, the bulk of the text is essentially stock rhetoric. This is standard political stuff, nothing earth-shattering, but it doesn’t earn a lot of credit in today's age.

Francesca's site doesn’t have an issues section; it has a Policy section. Which is brilliant because we don’t need issues, we’ve got plenty. What we need is policies. There are over 20 sections, each with multiple subsections.  Within the text of many, you will find specifics, often links to bills she’s proposed, research papers about policy, or links to government sites from other states that have implemented the policy. This is something that earns respect in my book.

 "It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country."

Political Context

A brick in the foundation of my political theory is that we all hate government and are motivated by fear. Whoever just held power is now “the man”. Absent a national crisis like the war (2004) or periods when things are improving (1996, 2012), the fear of “the man” continuing to contribute to our decline drives turnout. This drives how we sway back and forth. Right now, the wind is at the Democrats' backs.

In 2010, fear of healthcare change and a black president drove Tea Party gains in the GOP, including a clean sweep of Wisconsin’s government. Sweeping change ensued immediately. Gerrymandering, the dismantling of unions, and an attack on our education system have left a mark on the state we have yet to correct. In 2022, the DFL in Minnesota took unified power and ushered in a host of changes, including expanded civil rights, free school lunches, and legalized marijuana.

After nearly two decades of unresponsive government, fair maps offer us a chance to gain the same control in Wisconsin. At the same time, the national political landscape and the global economy are undergoing changes that present both challenges and opportunities. This is a pivotal time that calls for bold leadership.

My Personal Turning Point

I got a call a month ago from a poll company. Across the board, I answered in favor of Sara Rodriguez. On a few questions, I noted support for Francesca. At the time, my concern was electability. I was failing my own guidance on pushing left. I was failing to remember that playing it safe is a sure way to ensure you don't get what you want.

I always appreciated Francesca's approach and policies. I was concerned that people would react to the term socialist. I was concerned about how people would react to statements about defunding the police. I am not concerned about either, and don’t think others should be either. None of the negative stuff I’ve heard moves the needle for me. 

The straw poll from the Democratic convention was my wake-up call. I underestimated the level of support for Francesca. This shows the fallacy of factoring in electability when considering a primary choice. If I had based my vote on a guess about how others would vote, I would have denied myself the choice I thought was best. This is how we fool ourselves out of good government.

Shoot Your Shot and Make it Count

Francesca will energize voters. The wildcard may be the younger generations. Around the world, Millennials and Generation Z are flexing their generational muscles. 

In conversations with friends who are politically involved, it’s largely the same, with many facing a poll-time decision about which direction they are going. All are clear on working hard to elect whoever emerges from the primary as our candidate.

Ultimately, I’m betting on bold change while the wind is at our backs. If we never dare to believe we can do great things, we will never achieve great things.  When enough of us do, great things can happen. I believe Rep. Hong embodies that spirit.