Before 2016, the last time Wisconsin had voted for a Republican was in 1984. If, like me, you are wondering what caused the transformation from a solidly Democratic state in presidential elections to one that supported a right-wing candidate, the answer has something to do with Wisconsin’s labor history. Once the only state that voted for the Progressive Party in 1924, and a state where Socialist Eugene V. Debs won over 11% of the vote in 1920, the reason for Wisconsin’s progressive politics had to do with the strength of organized labor in the state, and the support of workers for candidates who were solidly pro-worker. But in the 21st Century, with the systematic dismantling of unions’ power in the state, along with the rise of grievance politics that struck a nerve with disempowered workers, many in the working class in Wisconsin ironically decided to politically support the same party that took away their power.

We are hoping that change starts now, with the re-empowerment of the working class by progressive politicians. Francesca Hong (she/her), is one such candidate. Fran is a millennial State Assemblywoman and is running for Governor as a Democratic Socialist. Fran is solidly working class - in addition to her job as a lawmaker, she is a line cook and bartender in a restaurant. Fran’s platform is all about providing more for the working class: universal childcare, paid leave for all, fairer cheaper healthcare, and fully funded public education. In addition, she advocates for the abolition of ICE, and introduced legislation aimed to “protect Wisconsin residents from the terroristic overreaches of DHS’s occupation of our communities.”