Hong supporters brave heat for last-minute door-knocking ahead of Wisconsin primary

On a sweltering August afternoon, just a day before Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, 20-year-old Nathan was knocking on doors in Sun Prairie, a Madison suburb. The temperature hovered around 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), but Nathan, a facilities management technician planning to return to college in the fall, was focused on his task: canvassing for Francesca Hong.

This was Nathan's fourth time volunteering for Hong's campaign, a significant commitment for someone new to political organizing. He meticulously checked addresses on his phone, rang doorbells, and, when no one answered, slipped a flyer featuring Hong's face under the door, marking the address as 'no answer' in his app. "It's 3 p.m. on a Monday, so everyone's probably at work or out shopping," he explained.

The mobile app, 'Minivan,' is central to the campaign's strategy. It displays addresses and voter names within a "turf cut" – a designated area assigned to each volunteer. After speaking with residents, volunteers input their support level and key concerns. This data is then relayed back to campaign headquarters for targeted follow-up.

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It's 3 p.m. on a Monday, so everyone's probably at work or out shopping.

Many residents Nathan spoke with expressed support for Hong. One young woman, returning home by car, identified her family as "pretty avid supporters" and confirmed she would vote for Hong. Another neighbor, Christopher, stated he had "almost decided" and was leaning towards Hong, planning to vote the next day.

However, not all encounters were positive. Some residents declined to open their doors, citing busyness, while others explicitly stated they would vote for a different candidate. Nathan recalled a previous canvassing experience where a resident aggressively shut the door, calling Hong a "communist."

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Our movement is a multi-generational movement that includes single mothers, educators, electricians, independents, and even farmers who have supported Republicans. We have knocked on the doors of over 130,000 households.

One resident, who had experience working in the state legislature, indicated a preference for David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive and another Democratic primary candidate. She reasoned that Crowley had a better chance of winning the general election and possessed more relevant experience managing staff as a county executive.

Canvassing is the cornerstone of Hong's campaign, which notably refuses corporate funding. This contrasts with other candidates who rely heavily on television advertising. Nathan emphasized the importance of direct voter contact, stating, "For candidates who don't take corporate money, knocking on doors is the most important way to get your name out there. Instead of spending big on ads, you have to meet people and talk to them. That's how you build a strong community."

Nathan believes Hong can win in Wisconsin, a "purple state" where Democrats and Republicans are closely matched. He argued that voters in Wisconsin ultimately seek the candidate who can "guarantee them a better life," and that Hong's platform addresses this need, appealing to workers who will "judge policies."

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The conversations we have at the door today are important. They're not just for tomorrow's election.

Hong herself visited volunteers in Sun Prairie, reinforcing the campaign's reliance on this grassroots effort. She highlighted that her campaign had knocked on over 130,000 doors, involving a diverse coalition of single mothers, educators, electricians, independents, and even Republican-leaning farmers. "The conversations we have at the door today are important. They're not just for tomorrow's election," she urged supporters, asking them to persuade five others to vote.

During her tour, Hong reiterated her platform, which includes taxing the wealthy, universal childcare, increased public education funding, and a $20 minimum wage. She argued that the current $7.25 minimum wage is "extreme and radical" and called for collective action to "reclaim the power of Wisconsin's working class."

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For candidates who don't take corporate money, knocking on doors is the most important way to get your name out there. Instead of spending big on ads, you have to meet people and talk to them. That's how you build a strong community.