Bernie Sanders Declines Public Endorsement for Korean-American Governor Candidate

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a prominent figure in the progressive movement, has stated he will not publicly endorse Francesca Hong, a Korean-American candidate vying for the Wisconsin governorship.

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I don't think so.

Responding to a question on the podcast 'Pod Save America,' Sanders expressed hesitation when asked about endorsing a candidate in the Wisconsin race. "I don't think so," he replied. While acknowledging Hong as a "very, very good person" whom he met years ago in Wisconsin, Sanders noted, "This is not a race that I know well. We don't get heavily involved in gubernatorial races."

Sanders emphasized that his primary focus is on the upcoming November midterm elections, specifically on forming a Congress that can counter President Donald Trump's policies. He aims to help Democrats regain control of both the House and the Senate to check Trump's unilateral governance. Currently, Republicans hold a majority in the Senate, and Democrats are striving to secure a majority in both chambers.

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Francesca Hong I met a few years ago in Wisconsin. She seems like a very, very good person.

Hong, who identifies as a democratic socialist and is a leading contender in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, is expected to secure the party's nomination. Despite her strong position, Sanders' reluctance to endorse has generated discussion. Some analysts believe Sanders is strategically avoiding exacerbating divisions between moderate and progressive factions within the Democratic party, especially with Hong's potential victory seeming likely. Meanwhile, the Republican party has sought to leverage Sanders' stance, portraying it as evidence of Hong's extreme left-wing ideology.

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This is not a race that I know well. We don't get heavily involved in gubernatorial races.