More Than 25 Local Elected Officials and Community Leaders Endorse Francesca Hong for Governor
MADISON, Wis. — More than 25 current and former local elected officials and community leaders from across Wisconsin today endorsed State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) for governor, adding new momentum to the broad, statewide coalition powering her campaign.
The new endorsers represent 13 counties and communities across the state, including Appleton, Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Menomonie, Ozaukee County, Rock County, Stevens Point, Sun Prairie, Viroqua and Weston. The group includes mayors, county supervisors, city council members, school board members and community leaders who have seen firsthand how decisions made in Madison affect Wisconsin families and local governments.
“This campaign is bringing together people from every corner of Wisconsin around the promise that our state should work for working people,” Hong said. “These leaders know their communities. They understand the pressure families are under and the challenges facing our schools, local governments and small businesses. I am honored to have their support as we build the coalition that will deliver permanent affordability and a government that answers to people, not powerful corporations.”
The group includes Menomonie Mayor Matthew Crowe, who describes himself as a moderate or centrist Democrat and said Hong’s commitment to working families and local communities persuaded him to cross ideological lines.
“I usually wouldn’t endorse a democratic socialist,” Crowe said. “However, Francesca doesn’t want to give free handouts. She wants to give all Wisconsinites a fair chance at a fair game by making housing, childcare and healthcare more affordable.”
Crowe also praised Hong’s plan to restore local control and repair Wisconsin’s broken shared-revenue system.
“As the mayor of a Wisconsin city, I am excited to see Francesca lead the charge to bring local control back to our cities, fix our shared-revenue system and allow cities to operate without state government overreach,” Crowe said.
Ozaukee County Board Supervisor Melissa Custer said Hong’s integrity, grassroots campaign and commitment to permanent affordability have inspired voters across the state.
“State Representative Francesca Hong leads with integrity and does what is right even when it isn’t easy,” Custer said. “Now she’s showing Wisconsinites the true power of caring for our neighbors and finding common ground. Her grassroots campaign is unmatched — a movement that brings joy and has people excited to head to the polls.”
“People are tired of hate and division,” Custer continued. “They want a governor with a backbone, someone who will deliver permanent affordability and stand up for every single one of us. I’m a fan of Fran.”
The local elected officials and community leaders endorsing Hong include:
- Adrian Stancil-Martin, Appleton City Council Alderperson
- Huma Ahsan, attorney and former candidate for Dane County Circuit Court
- Ray French, Eau Claire County Board Supervisor
- Mary Lou Yang, Green Bay Area Public School District Trustee
- Merideth Garcia, La Crosse School Board Member
- Emily Anderson, La Crosse County Board Supervisor
- Kelly Liebold, La Crosse County Board Supervisor
- Dillon Mader, La Crosse County Board Supervisor
- Lia Manock, La Crosse County Board Supervisor
- Grant Mathu, La Crosse County Board Supervisor
- Kristie Tweed, La Crosse County Board Supervisor
- Davy Mayer, Madison Common Council Alderperson
- Matthew Crowe, Mayor of Menomonie
- Rachel Henderson, Menomonie Area School Board President
- Emily Hines, Menomonie Area School Board Member
- Melissa Custer, Ozaukee County Board Supervisor
- Dan Vogel, Ozaukee County Board Supervisor and Grafton Town Supervisor
- Ariba Khan, former Ozaukee County Board Supervisor
- Shaun Murphy-Lopez, former Richland County Board Supervisor
- Rodolfo Abarca, Rock County Board Supervisor
- Willow Wallis, Rock County Board Supervisor
- Matt Moldenhauer, Stevens Point Common Council Alderperson
- Casey Drengler, Sun Prairie City Council Vice President
- Jeanne Nutter, former Trempealeau County Board Supervisor
- Karen Mischel, former Mayor of Viroqua
- Nate Fiene, former Weston Village Trustee
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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Jul 15th, 2026 by Francesca HongStatewide grassroots organizations back Hong’s campaign to unite working people.
