The Wild Card: State Rep. Francesca Hong on Running for Wisconsin Governor

Do you worry about being seen as unprofessional? These are times of fear and chaos,

straight-up fascism, and folks are ready to meet these moments, and they already are with courage, with relentless, just like, you know, fight. And I think that we should be meeting righteous anger

with righteous anger, and then figuring out how to harness that and do something really [ __ ] cool. Welcome to the Dr. Kristin Lyerly Show. I'm Dr. Kristin Lyerly, and today we

have a conversation that Wisconsin needs to hear. And just like Zohran Mamdani right now in New York, this could very well be the barometer for left-leaning politics all across the country.

My guest is the very exciting state representative Francesca Hong. She's making history yet again. Already the first Asian American member of the Wisconsin legislature, she's now

running to become Wisconsin's next governor in 2026. But, if you're familiar, this isn't your typical gubernatorial campaign. Frana is calling herself the wildcard, and she means it.

She's a chef, she's a bartender, she's a dishwasher, she's a single mom, and of course, she's a state legislator. She's the daughter of Korean immigrants who built her life from the dish pit to the

state capital. And now she's bringing that varied and incredible perspective to one of the most wide-open gubernatorial races Wisconsin has seen in some time.

And the entire country is watching. So, no pressure, Frana. Whether you agree with her unabashedly progressive platform or not, one thing is clear. Francesca Hong represents a

voice that's often missing from our political conversations, the voice of working people who know what it's like to struggle with rent, juggle multiple jobs, and still show up to fight for

their community. I am so ready to have this conversation about working class power, what it means to be an outsider in politics, and whether Wisconsin is ready for

something, someone different. Well, let's have it. Please welcome State Representative Francesca Hong. Hi everyone. Hey Kristin, it's so great to be here.

I'm so excited to be here with you, Fran, because you really represent a breath of fresh air that I think a lot of people are desperately seeking right now. You've really embraced this title

of being the wild card in this race. What does that mean to you, and why do you think Wisconsin needs a wild card, needs you in particular right now? Well, my candidacy, my campaign, is

about changing the conversation. It's about helping folks think differently, be more open-minded to what power is in this state, who has access to power, and how we can make sure we

have a government that shares power with everyone. Um I am so excited that we're going to be curious, creative, we're going to be trying new ways to campaign. You're

going to see me at spaces that politicians don't often go. I talk about this a lot. I was I was promised I was going to get to the racetrack, um with our friend Mark up in Green Bay.

Been doing amazing cranberry festival. I'm going to hit up bowling alleys and dive bars. And so this is this is really about um a moment of crisis meeting it with an opportunity for change. And I

think working class people all across the state are ready for it. It's really true. And when you announced your candidacy, you pointed at the capital in your launch video, and you said, "A lot

of people in that building don't get why it's so hard to get by right now." Now, you're juggling being a state legislator, working service industry jobs, raising your child as a single

mom. How does that lived experience, all of that complexity, shape the way that you think about policy differently than career politicians might?

Well, us service industry folks, we're built different. We know how to hustle. We know that even when working hard and things are such a struggle, we care about bringing something great to

someone else. And and my many years of working as a line cook and an executive chef, working front of the house and back of house, um I really learned about how to talk to folks, how to um work as

a team, uh what it means to really be in a system. I think restaurants are often uh an embodiment of of an an ecosystem um of, you know, a a microcosm of what things are like in our society today.

And um it means, you know, disparities. It's it's about um independent small restaurants struggling against the mega corporations. It's It's also about taking care of one

another and being of service to others. And and I will always be of service to others, and I think that's that's what leadership means to me, and that's what I want to bring to um the governor's

office. When you mentioned the restaurant industry, it is such a culture. Are there any other people, or do you have any other peers, elected folks, who have

the same kind of experience that you have? I mean, there are a lot of legislators right now who are working multiple jobs. Um and I think that when you have

working class people, um not just speaking as the voice of the people, but sharing that platform with others. This is This is really what, um, being an elected official should be about. And

so, being a small business owner, too, I'm able to talk to Republicans and Democrats about some of the struggles of wearing multiple hats and really showing

up for the job, um, and the folks that you employ. Um, being a restaurant industry worker means that, uh, I've seen the best and worst of humanity. And I'm going to tell you that in that

capital, there are some folks who are really great about our shared humanity, and some folks I wonder about if I really want to be sharing my humanity with them.

Yeah, I know exactly what you're talking about. Uh, so, of the folks that you work with, many of them, as you said, work more than one job. We are not a Wisconsin's

not a state that has a ton of money flowing into politics, at least on the state level. You have made a pledge not to accept corporate PAC money, and you are not self-funding. You are running a

true grassroots campaign. But again, not a lot of deep pockets here in the state. How do you build a winning campaign on that kind of grassroots support alone? Working-class people power. There are

more of us than the billionaires, and there are more of us who are, um, that they know We know that the system is rigged to serve the billionaires and mega corporations. And so, these

grassroots donations, the volunteers, I mean, our, uh, average donation right now is around $47. And we have folks donating from all across the state and all across the country. And so, if you

do the math about how many more of us are working-class people who are powering this campaign, you know, that that I don't need to take corporate PAC money and not be held accountable to to

the donors and the big tech and the big pharma. I'm held accountable to the working class people who elect me, the people who care about themselves and their community, and they trust that

their governor is going to put those people first every time. And I'll note, too, we've got almost 600 volunteers, and we've only been in this campaign for about 3 weeks. And these volunteers are

in Superior, they're in Wild Rose, they're in um Jamesville, and in towns that I've never heard of in Wisconsin. And so, this excitement, this folks ready to be a part of a movement and

create change for themselves and their communities, to fight back up against a system that doesn't work for us, it is so incredibly exciting, and I think it's only going to get more people excited to

support us, whether it's with their dollars or with their time. That is grassroots. 600 volunteers in 3 weeks, seriously? We're almost there. And if we had an

onboarding call and a Saturday morning Zoom with over 80 people, and I'm like, my heart was so full. We were en route to um St. Croix County, and I tell y'all I'll even meeting with

small groups of people and then showing them that we are part of something much bigger, that this campaign is a movement, um folks are stoked and they're amped and they're as the youth

say, they're they're psyched. They're hyped. It feels like a movement. It feels fresh and different. I mean, you already mentioned you're going to some of these

places where traditional candidates maybe don't go, bowling alleys. Uh did you mention a pro wrestling event? We're Yeah, we're getting ready for me to go to these spaces where like, you

know, why aren't folks ready to talk about things that they care about there? Like, I I know that there's going to be somebody who cares about their public school, right? Um somebody who knows or

has a uh a a son or a daughter or somebody um a a parent who needs additional long-term care opportunities, folks that need affordable child care. People are talking about housing and and

everyone has a story and organizing is at its core about storytelling. So, why not go to these places where someone might be willing to share their story with me?

Well, let's be real. We are involved with politics, we are paying attention to all of those measurements and the people and all of that stuff, but most people aren't. But, they are facing the

repercussions of what's happening across the country right now and of the really denigrating working conditions, the wages, the benefits, not being able to afford groceries, which is really hard.

So, if you go to those places where regular people hang out, you find the regular people and you get to actually hear their voices. And I think I'm I'm showing up as a

regular person, you know, I'm showing up as the single mom where I didn't come up thinking like I was going to work in the state legislature. I came up dreaming about owning my own

restaurant and having a family and you know, figuring out like where I fit. I'm a college dropout, right? And I that's okay because I found a space where I

really feel like I belong. I want that for every single Wisconsinite. You are your authentic self and that's what you are known for being, you, outspoken, not holding back, even

sometimes there might be a little profanity included in your launch video, but that is how you are and I think that people really respect that. They're tired of seeing politicians who just

show this polished version of themselves and then turn around and are somebody different when they're actually doing the work. But, the question is, do you think Wisconsin is ready for a governor

who talks real people talk or do you worry about being seen as unprofessional? These are times of

fear and chaos, straight-up fascism, and folks are ready to meet these moments, and they already are with courage, with relentless, just like you know, fight. And I think that

we should be meeting righteous anger with righteous anger, and then figuring out how to harness that and do something really [ __ ] cool. And I want folks to know that their

politicians, their elected officials, they they feel that pain, too. They feel that that fear as well, but we know that we're going to overcome when we come together and build working-class people

power, when we build community power, because whether it's in your neighborhood or at your schools, like community organizing at every single level, bring bringing people together,

sometimes with the food and drink is is a really great way to connect with folks. Um you know, to talk about what we're worried about, what we're scared about, and then making sure that we can

do something about it, and understanding that community care at at any level, every single thing that we do makes a difference. So, it might be showing up with a meal for a neighbor,

it might be volunteering, it it's bringing spaces of joy. This is all part of resistance, they're little rebellions happening everywhere, and we're building towards that big-ass rebellion that's

going to help us take down fascism. And food and drink is always a benefit, always a bonus for bringing people in. Absolutely. Uh what are you hearing on the campaign

trail from regular folks that you're talking with? You know, I think more and more people are understanding that um our federal government is one that

endorses mass suffering, kidnapping, murder, and they you know, we when you have a government that's endorsing that instead of accessible

health care, cheaper health care, cheaper prices of groceries, long-term care, child care, public schools, everyone is sharing a story about one of these issues, which is why we have to

meet universal issues with universal policies. So, when folks are concerned about child care or affordable care for um you know, long-term care and and better wages for care workers, um people

get excited when I say look, the state can do better, the state needs to do more. We should be meeting these issues um with a universal uh policy cuz everyone deserves child care, everyone

deserves better housing, everyone deserves cheaper health care, and we can get that done. I think we can get it done, too. And I'm excited to continue this conversation on

the other side of the break. I'm talking with Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong about her wild card race for governor. When we come back, let's talk a little bit about your cultural

and personal identity and how it impacts your approach to the race. All right. You're listening to the Dr. Kristin Lyerly Show on the Civic Media Radio Network.

Welcome back to the Dr. Kristin Lyerly Show. I'm Dr. Kristin Lyerly and I'm here with candidate for Wisconsin governor, Francesca Hong. We are talking about her wild card campaign and what

sets her apart from the other candidates in this increasingly crowded Democratic primary. And Fran, I want to focus on something really unique about you that in many ways defines you, and it's your

cultural identity as an Asian American. Your parents are immigrants. And we are living in really fractured times when rhetoric about immigrants is driving much of the Trump administration's

actions. How does your lived experience shape your approach to this race for governor of what is arguably the most tightly contested swing state in the entire

country? I am so proud to be a daughter of immigrants and I think that being able to show up as a mom, as a daughter of immigrants, as a proud Asian American,

as a proud Korean, I think that it allows other folks to be proud of multiple identities. That we all get to hold multiple identities and I also have

direct experience with the fear of not knowing if you're going to be able to stay with your family, to continue to be a good neighbor, to be able to work the job that you've worked for to attain, be

you know, in in the schools, in the classrooms where you're learning more about yourselves and the the culture in the neighborhoods that you're living in. And so

in a time where there is such deep division, hate, and weaponizing that fear to place the blame of what's been a rigged system in our country on folks who are our neighbors, who have been

contributing to our communities that have allowed us to have such a rich, diverse, you know, cultural experience. I just when I think about the different foods

that I've gotten to eat, the different languages I've been able to hear. I still remember when I was hiking at Devil's Lake and I heard probably at least six, seven different languages.

When I went there when I was a kid, you know, I really didn't see anyone else that looked like me. And so I think these experiences, these identities I hold,

they really allow me to celebrate diversity and fight for it and know that every family deserves to be kept together. And so that's why I introduced legislation keep families together that

helps protect our communities and make sure that the state violence and state sanctioned violence that's coming down on our communities that we're all working together to keep each other

safe. As long as you mentioned the legislation that you've introduced, let's talk about some of the other really exciting stuff that you've worked on. In particular,

the legislation that you passed requiring schools to teach Hmong and Asian American history. And also you've launched the legislative Asian Caucus tripling the number

of elected Asian Americans in our legislature in the last cycle. How do efforts like this connect to your broader vision for Wisconsin, how you will serve as governor?

We have the third largest Hmong population in the country and we're celebrating this year the 50th anniversary of Hmong and Southeast Asian refugees here in our state and in the

country. And I think the most, you know, the thing that I love most about being able to pass legislation that would include Asian American history in our K-12 public schools means that our kids

um now and for future generations are going to be able to see themselves in the textbooks, to feel proud to share their stories, to know that they are, you know, a key part that is like a wool

like our woven fabric of what it means to be in Wisconsin. And I think, you know, when when you have folks that look like you, who maybe believe like you, who have shared lived experiences, um

even if we might not like share the same politics, it's important to know that you know, we can have folks from these diverse backgrounds have access to power, to be in positions of power, um

to help other folks imagine better because I always talk about how with fascism, the one of the things that they try to do and the reason why they're trying to divide us because they don't

want us to be able to imagine better for ourselves and the folks in our communities. And so, whether it's through legislation that uh about education curriculum, whether it's about

in making sure that we have more uh elected officials who are from diverse backgrounds who are Asian American, um it's going to encourage folks and let folks know that it's okay to imagine

better, that this is what we need to do. And when we have more voices at the table, we have more people with platforms who are going to be able to make sure that other folks have a voice

to be able to share their experience and what it means to be in Wisconsin for them. And for the longest time, actually until you were elected, we had never had an

Asian American representative in the state of Wisconsin. You are the first. How has that experienced shaped your approach to governance as a legislator and as a future governor?

I think it means for me it means being For me it's about making government accessible. So, I think a lot of folks,

they may have seen a candidate come in during election cycle into their communities, give a speech and then not come back, right? But now they have someone who's in the legislature

um and and someone who is accessible and it gives me an opportunity to start building trusted relationships for folks who haven't felt like there is representation for them before. And

being the first is a great honor, but it means nothing if I'm the last. And so, having this caucus now where we can be in kind of an affinity space, but also recognize that the Asian American um

uh diaspora is diverse, and just because we represent one ethnic or cultural heritage doesn't mean that we can speak for everyone else. And so, these opportunities to speak with communities,

figure out what um sort of legislation or what they want to see from their elected officials, like these are things that we're going to be able to with our caucus, with our party, um and help them

be better representative for the folks with different lived experiences in their districts. You're a trailblazer, and you are no longer the only one. Now there are three

of you. It's pretty rad. It's pretty rad. >> It's brilliant. Friends, I am talking with candidate for Wisconsin governor Representative Francesca Hong. When we

come back, let's dig into your platform a little bit and talk about something else that really sets you apart. Your focus, your love, your experience with the working class people of Wisconsin.

Sound good? Sounds great. All right, let's do it. You are listening to the Dr. Kristin Lyerly show on the Civic Media Radio Network.

Welcome back to the Dr. Kristin Lyerly show. I'm Dr. Kristin Lyerly here with gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong. She's running for Wisconsin governor, talking about her unconventional, wild

card campaign and what sets her apart. If you missed any part of our conversation thus far, you can always find it wherever you get your podcasts, really pretty much everywhere, Apple,

Spotify, and video streaming on YouTube uh at Dr. Kristin Lyerly. So, check it out. It's uh we're in the middle of it right now. And we are really going to lean into the

working class piece because Fran, this has been a huge part of your life. I mean, obviously, you've been working in restaurants, you have been scrapping and talking to people who are just like

putting their lives together and living paycheck to paycheck. These are the people that you really represent, but you've also been a small business owner. You've seen it all. So, when you talk to

your co-workers and your colleagues and your customers, what are they telling you that their biggest struggles are right now? I think there is an element of despair

everywhere. And before getting into specific issues, folks are telling me that they're pissed, that they don't know exactly how to respond to what's going on, um that

they want to do something, but they're not, you know, they're not quite sure what. What do we do now? And that's when I actually bring it back to the issues, right? That we are way more connected,

whether you are a small business owner, whether you are um working as an educator or a server, um whether you're um in a rural area or

urban or suburban area, that these universal issues, these meeting these basic needs, whether from housing to health care to child care to paid leave, um long-term care and public schools,

folks each have a story and they want to build a coalition. Maybe some folks don't know how, um but they're ready to have someone who's going to prioritize these issues um and center working class

people who are experiencing these struggles and really just want to be able to take care of their lives. I heard today that, you know, someone wants government to be boring again,

right? They want to be left alone. They want government out of their life and it's like, look, if we have these basic needs met, if government is providing the

services they're supposed to be, if government is actually a force of good, I think a lot of us would be better off and we have that freedom to be able to live the lives that we want and to be

able to live with dignity and age with dignity. I think so many people feel that way. They're not thinking government is, you know, politics, it's Democrats and Republicans. They're

thinking, I can't afford groceries. I can't afford my health care. And a huge issue in Wisconsin, and you've dealt with this in the legislature, is child care. You've talked about universal

child care. You've talked about paid family leave, affordable housing, all of those things that are just bread and butter issues for regular people. But, you probably can't get it all done

right away when you're elected. So, how what will you prioritize once elected governor of Wisconsin? Well, I don't think my priorities are going to change that much. It's about

setting that vision of what we can do and the timing in which we're going to be able to do it, the negotiations and the actual governing, that's going to happen, too. But, we better be starting

the conversation as what we all deserve, what we all deserve to have access to, what the state can and should do, right? So, universal child care, the child care infrastructure right now is incredibly,

like it's it's decimated and we have to figure out ways to make sure that it's more affordable, that it's more accessible, that our providers and child care workers have what they need to have

successful centers. So, you know, there are we're we're looking at options with implementing different types of subsidies, making sure that folks who are living 400%

below the federal policy above the federal policy. Um They are uh the I'm sorry, the federal

poverty limit, FPL. Um, all of those folks will be eligible for free child care. And so, we have to look at ways to increase revenue and making sure that the taxpayers have their taxes going to

things that they care about and that we have folks who are at the very top paying their fair share of taxes. And so, it's going to take some innovation, but in terms of implementation, whether

it's through the budget or through legislation, we better be starting at the top with um, a vision where it works for everyone, is accessible to everyone, that it's cheaper for everyone, and then

negotiate if we need to and and figure out timing and implementation. But, right now, incrementalism is irresponsible and starting with that bold vision, working with folks in the

legislature to figure out how we can get that implemented as fast as we can, but meeting this moment with urgency, making sure the local governments, that really the policies that they pass at the local

level, they hit our families first in what can do. And we need to make sure folks feel the changes and the things that can make their lives better as soon as possible, which is why we have to

start with making sure that our local governments have what they need, um, and that uh, we are starting with universal policies first. Yes, and creating an environment where people can live their

lives, they can afford their daily lives. And one of those things is something that's been near and dear to you. So many things have been near and dear to you, but let's talk about

affordable housing. How has that personal experience helped shape your policy proposals? So, I'm a renter in a majority renter city. And I think that, um, you know, we're watching

essentially bad actors, bad landlords not be held accountable. So, we need better enforcement mechanisms from the state to make sure that tenants have their rights protected. We have to make

it more affordable to build more affordable housing. Um and housing is a is a there is a housing catastrophe right now, which means it's not going to be easy to be able to um have uh

affordable housing available to everyone as as as quickly as we need it to, but there are so many different avenues we can explore, whether it's increasing the amount of public lands to community land

trust, to think about co-op housing and what workforce housing needs to be and and how in in rural areas, like can we look more at how we can make sure that mixed-use or or buildings that are

empty, what kind of zoning things that do we have to do to make it so that our local governments and at the state level will make it easier to build, or making it cheaper to build, so that as many

folks as possible, at some point everyone has access to affordable housing. Mhm, creative solutions, because this is a problem that is universal, it's all across the state.

You're dealing with it in Madison. I talked with a medical student up here in Green Bay, she was telling me that her rent is more than it was when she lived in Milwaukee. I mean, this is Green Bay,

Wisconsin. And if you live in Oconto or Wausau, it's even harder to find affordable housing because it's just not there. Yeah. Yeah. So, you are a member of the Socialist Caucus in the State

Assembly. And in a state that can swing either way politically, how do you talk about democratic socialism with voters who might be skeptical, cuz it's kind of a toxic label outside of Madison. I

mean, Democrat is a toxic label in many places outside of Madison, but this one could be particularly challenging. I get this question a lot, and I'm actually excited to talk about it now,

because again, this campaign is about helping people think differently, opening their minds, right? And I'm showing up as the single mom, the person who's still working multiple jobs. I'm

trying to make ends meet. I am stressed, and this system is [ __ ] And I think then that gives me a lane to talk about how why why can't we have a state where everyone's basic needs are met? And then

we say, "Look, it's it's rigged cuz the politicians that we've had before us have served the billionaires and the mega corporations, and they haven't been listening to you and your communities

who have been telling us what you need for years, which is more affordable housing, affordable child care, strong public schools that are fully funded. We're an aging state. Folks need

care workers need to have and caregivers need better wages and good working conditions. We should be a state where you can access and collectively bargain and and unionize your workplace.

And so that there is this opportunity for change. And regardless of my current political identity, my identity as a working class person right now who believes in working class power, that's

what I'm focused on is the issues and the things that matter to you to make sure that you can live a life of dignity, a life where you can care for yourself. And I think that when it comes

back to the issues, it's it's about who I am as as a person as a working class person now who's going to always fight for working class people. That all sounds amazing to me as a mom

and a doctor who wants my kids and my patients to be able to have access to all of those social determinants that will allow them to live a healthy life. But your Republican opponent is not

going to feel that way, and you know that they are going to attack you on your platform of socialist ideology. So, how would you respond to critics who say that your policies are utopian and too

far to the left. The policies that politicians, regardless of political identity, have been prioritizing is part of the reason that we are here because we have allowed

the policies that serve the wealthiest few to take control of our lives and the way that we have been able to we have been trying to live the lives here in Wisconsin as Wisconsinite. And so, I

think that, you know, uh Tom Tiffany and I actually he asked to take a picture with me the other day at a mall. Really? Uh-huh. And so, I don't know if that means we're starting off cordial when

we're going to have to face each other in the general. Um but these are folks who don't give a [ __ ] about the people. Tom Tiffany has voted

for tariffs that hurt our business. Tom Tiffany has voted to take away your health care. Tom Tiffany has voted to take food away from children. And so, the things that I am fighting for,

universal school meals where every kid has access to a healthy breakfast and lunch, where nobody has to choose between their paycheck and having to go to work sick and not be able to take

care of a new baby or loved one. You know, these are common sense practical policies that we can do as a state. We just haven't had politicians who have the political will to get it

done. And so, my background as a service industry worker, as a restaurant owner, somebody who knows that the dishwashing station is the most important position in a restaurant,

I'm always going to have these lived experience inform what I know is what many people agree with me on are these That's what they're universal issues. And that makes it so that we need

universal policies to be able to address these issues and make sure people have what they need to live dignified lives where we might have a boring government and government stays out of your life

just like politicians need to be staying out of our um hospital rooms. So, this is this is about working class people building power. And when I talk about

you know, what you deserve as a person that I'm going to serve, it opens up the conversation and we have to change the conversation around who is the villain and the villain are these politicians

who cower to Trump and have made your life worse and you deserve better. So, it would be great if we in '26 elected a Democratic trifecta cuz that's really easy to work with. But, it's been

very challenging for Governor Evers as a Democratic governor to work with the Republican legislature. How will you do that? So, Governor Evers has done an amazing

job, but he's had to, you know, it's governing by goalkeeping. And here's the thing that regardless of who is in the legislature, I want to like I will work with folks who want to make sure that we

are passing the policies that are going to improve people's lives. And but, you know, there's there's going to be times where these negotiations and conversations aren't going to go well

for one party and it certainly won't be for the people of Wisconsin when I'm governor. Focusing on the people of Wisconsin, that's always the key. I am talking with

the candidate for Wisconsin governor Francesca Hong. We've talked about the working class, immigrants, your unconventional approach to this campaign. When we come back, I want to

pick your brain for some fun Wisconsin questions, little culture, little history. You up for that? Oh, absolutely I'm here for that. Love it. Love it. All right, you are listening to the Dr.

Kristen Lyerly Show on the Civic Media Radio Network. Welcome back to the Dr. Kristen Leary Lee show. I'm Dr. Kristen Leary Lee and I am hanging out with candidate for

Wisconsin Governor Francesca Hong talking about who she is, what she brings to this race, and so much more. And Fran, before we get to the fun stuff, I want to give you the floor to

talk directly to the people. What do you want voters who are working two jobs, struggling to pay rent, and feeling forgotten by the political system to know about you and your campaign?

I get it. The system is rigged and we need leadership that's fighting to unrig it every single day. And folks are stressed. This isn't just about being able to like put food on the

table. We know that the problem is actually bigger than that and it's more complex than that and no one should have to feel so stressed that they aren't able to take care of themselves and the

people that they love. And so, having a working-class fighter fighting alongside working-class people, knowing that we can challenge power, and yeah, that power is going to fight you back, but

when there are more of us who are going to make sure that not only are our voices heard, but that we are in the doors that we are we are heading into that capital as working-class people to

make sure that the laws that are passed are going to help us and our communities. We can have a cheaper Wisconsin. We can have a more caring Wisconsin and we can have a Wisconsin

that is driven by and powered by working-class people so that a system that serves billionaires, oligarchs, and mega-corporations, those aren't the people who are going to

have power here in Wisconsin. And that's our history. We're proud progressive state. So, that's my cute pivot to history. Are you ready? Let's go. Okay. If you could grab any former Wisconsin

governor for lunch and pick their brain, who would you grab and why? Any governor. I'm going to go with Governor Tony Evers. He and I have not sat down for

lunch and I think I would you know, I would ask him what he did to like how he made his decisions, like the toughest decisions,

um who he would, you know, who were some of his closest advisers and even when they're having differing opinions, how did he make the best decision for

Wisconsin and himself? And I think that you know, and and I want to know like what his favorite flavor of ice cream is. I think you just have to look at his

Instagram page cuz he posted every once in a while. He loves all the ice cream, I think. That's fair. That's But he's he's had a tough time. I

mean, you know, he's been the Democratic governor of a challenging state legislature for a long time and I think there are a lot of lessons learned there. So, yeah, I really appreciate

that. Lots of lots of knowledge to be gleaned from his tenure. Um okay, here's my last question for you. If it's about Wisconsin.

You have to convince somebody to move to Wisconsin using only three things. A place, a food, and an activity. I know, don't get hung up on the food because that's where your mind is going

right now, but you also need a place and an activity. What would you choose? Necedah, go to Cranberry Creek, Inc. and uh

visit the cranberry bogs and there is nothing like throwing the cranberries that are in the bogs up in the air. There is no feeling like it. It is pure joy. Um food, it's you know, it's got to

be Friday fish fry and it's got to be perch and you have to have either an old-fashioned sour or a High Life with it. Um And then the What was the third one? I

got so excited about cracking A place of food and an activity. Oh. Although fish fry could be food or activity because That's that's true, but I would say even if you can't get in,

you got a tailgate at Lambeau. There's going to be somebody who's going to offer you a bowl of chili. There's going to be folks who are just coming out with a whole like gourmet spread.

Um you're going to see a whole like a lot of different like spreadable cheeses to um you know so many different types of um

encased meats from hot dogs to Polish sausage to bratwurst. And so that the tailgating part is in itself a really beautiful culture. Um and I think every single person's got a tailgate at

Lambeau. That is one of my favorite things to do because I live fairly close. So I can ride my bike down there and tailgate and then I ride back because I usually don't have a ticket

and just listen to the game as I'm riding and it is like just hearing it and smelling it and the friendliness and even how the opposing teams the fans of the opposing teams get sucked into that

culture because there is something really beautiful and delightful about the people of this state and how we come together even maybe even especially in hard times

to support each other and to find a way forward. Absolutely. This is about building community and finding community especially in these times and I think

that you know, when we come together around a table. We talk a lot of on this campaign about sharing the table. Tailgating at Lambeau is a part of that. You're bringing folks together to be in

a space of joy which is in itself a form of resistance. You're sharing a meal. You're sharing drinks. And I'm I'm to tell you that you know, not everyone hates the person who's making them

dinner and drinks. Um and it's so if you got to start a conversation that way, that's how I started so many conversations. Even had some Republican staffers in my restaurant. Um

and we were able to get a conversation started. And so that community, that community conversation, and knowing that we are all part of this resistance together, and that we get to celebrate

and have moments of joy. That's That's part of Wisconsin. It sure is. If somebody listening today wants to get involved with your campaign, wants to join the movement, or just wants to

learn more about your platform, where should they go? And don't forget to mention your socials. Yes, www.francescahong.com or @francescahongwi.

You can Google me and see some of the spicy tweets that I've put out as well. That is true. And what's the one thing you want people to remember from our conversation today?

Being a wild card can be a really good thing. I think wild card means that you can put it down and get a whole lot more for your cards. Being a wild card is a really good