[Reportage] Francesca Hong, the Korean American democratic socialist winning over Wisconsinites, left and right

Francesca Hong, a Korean American Democratic socialist, is making waves in Wisconsin's gubernatorial primary. Standing in a Waukesha family home yard on a Sunday, the 38-year-old front-runner spoke passionately about the moment for their movement, backed by ordinary working-class individuals. Hong has been campaigning for five days, with plans to cover all 24 cities in Wisconsin.

She introduced herself as a proud single mother, chef, and service sector worker, vowing, "Together, we can make it possible to make things better." With just two days left, Hong emphasized her commitment to her supporters and volunteers.

The gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin, held on Tuesday, has garnered national attention. Hong's surprising strength extends beyond Democratic areas to Republican strongholds, attributed to the rising cost of living and the data center debate. Sean Bannier, a 39-year-old volunteer from Waukesha, highlighted data centers as the issue that cuts across party lines. Bannier shared that data centers cause concern over water resources and electric bills, impacting communities and local governments.

Aaron Garza, a 29-year-old quality control chemist from Kenosha, echoed Bannier's views, noting that data centers are a bipartisan issue. Both men emphasized that locals see data centers as companies exploiting their water and electricity resources. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission predicts that data centers will increase power demand by over 40% by 2032, primarily affecting three locations.

Hong has also proposed higher taxes on high-income earners to fund public schools and lower property taxes for the middle and working class. This proposal has resonated with supporters like Jay Ferus, a 63-year-old Oconomowoc resident, who believes Hong's policy would benefit blue-collar homeowners. Becky Gilligan, a 46-year-old nurse and teacher, echoed the sentiment, expressing her concerns about her children's future and the high cost of living.

Liam Ogren, a 28-year-old Kenosha resident, supports Hong's public transport policy and pledge to raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour. However, the question remains whether Hong can secure a win in the general election, despite her lack of statewide name recognition.