Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong is facing renewed attention over a 2020 social media post in which she called for Thanksgiving to be canceled.
The controversy resurfaced as Hong campaigns for governor and faces growing scrutiny over her past political statements. During a recent CNN interview, she was asked directly whether she still believes Thanksgiving should be canceled.
Hong did not give a simple yes-or-no answer. Instead, she discussed her experience as a chef, the different ways communities view the holiday and the idea that political positions can change over time.
Hong Points to Her Background as a Chef
Hong said Thanksgiving has a personal connection to her life. She recalled preparing a Thanksgiving meal for her community when she was 16 and said her background as a chef could help her bring people together as governor.
She also acknowledged that the holiday can be painful for some communities because of the history surrounding Thanksgiving and the treatment of Indigenous Americans.
Her response emphasized that there can be multiple perspectives on the holiday and that people’s views can evolve.
The 2020 Post Has Returned to the Spotlight
The controversy stems from a post Hong made in 2020 calling for Thanksgiving to be canceled. The post has since been deleted, but screenshots and references to the statement have resurfaced during the 2026 governor’s race.
The timing has made the old comment politically significant. Hong is no longer speaking as a private citizen or simply as a state legislator. She is seeking the governor’s office in a closely watched Wisconsin race.
That has put more attention on her previous statements and positions.
Why the Thanksgiving Question Matters Politically
Thanksgiving is one of the most recognizable American holidays, traditionally associated with family gatherings, football, parades and a large holiday meal.
Because of that cultural significance, a candidate’s past call to cancel the holiday is likely to generate strong reactions from voters across the political spectrum.
Hong’s current response attempts to move the discussion away from a simple political slogan and toward a broader conversation about the history of Thanksgiving and how Americans understand the holiday today.
Hong’s Campaign Has Drawn National Attention
Hong is a Wisconsin state representative from Madison and a former chef and restaurant owner. She entered the 2026 governor’s race with a progressive platform focused on working families, education, child care and other economic issues.
Her campaign has also attracted national attention because she is running as a democratic socialist in a state that remains highly competitive in statewide elections.
The Washington Post recently described Hong as a democratic socialist who has gained support in the Democratic primary while facing questions about her ability to win a general election in a battleground state.
Republicans Are Already Targeting Hong
The Thanksgiving controversy comes as Republican groups are already attacking Hong as too liberal for Wisconsin.
The Republican Governors Association has backed a $2.2 million advertising effort criticizing Hong’s positions and attempting to define her for voters before the Democratic primary.
That means resurfaced comments about Thanksgiving could become another issue used by political opponents as the campaign moves toward the primary.
Hong Says Political Views Can Change
The central point of Hong’s latest response is that people can change their views.
Rather than completely disowning the concerns behind her earlier Thanksgiving statement, she acknowledged that the holiday has complicated historical meaning while also describing her own experience preparing a Thanksgiving meal for her community.
Her answer reflects an attempt to reconcile those two perspectives.
For Hong, the broader political message is that her personal history, including her experience in the restaurant industry, has shaped how she thinks about bringing people together.
A Controversy That Could Follow the Campaign
The Thanksgiving comments are unlikely to disappear quickly as Wisconsin voters prepare to choose their next governor.
Hong’s opponents can point to the 2020 post as evidence of views they consider outside the mainstream. Hong, meanwhile, can argue that the comments are from years ago and that her understanding has developed since then.
That contrast could make the controversy particularly useful in campaign advertising and social media as the primary approaches.
The Bigger Question for Wisconsin Voters
The dispute ultimately goes beyond Thanksgiving.
It raises a broader question about how voters should judge candidates for statements made years before they sought higher office.
Hong’s response suggests she wants voters to consider both her past views and her current position. Whether that explanation satisfies Wisconsin voters could become an important part of the conversation surrounding her gubernatorial campaign.
For now, the resurfaced Thanksgiving comments have added another unexpected flashpoint to an already closely watched Wisconsin governor’s race.