SOURCE: Fox News
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was asked if he would endorse Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) member Francesca Hongās Wisconsin gubernatorial bid, and his response sparked immediate mockery on social media.
"I donāt think so," the Vermont socialist told "Pod Save America" host Jon Favreau when asked if he is going to endorse Hongās campaign for governor. "I met Francesca a couple of years ago. I was in Wisconsin, and she seems very, very nice, but again this is a race Iām just not that familiar with."
Sanders added that "we have not gotten involved in many governors' races" other than recently in Maine, where he endorsed Democrat Troy Jackson, who ultimately replaced disgraced Senate candidate Graham Platner, a candidate Sanders endorsed.
Political commentators quickly chimed in on social media suggesting that Sanders not endorsing Hong shows the senator doesnāt think she can win, with many pointing to Sandersā strident support of Platner despite all of his political baggage.
AFTER PLATNER IMPLOSION, MAINE DEMOCRATS RUSH TOWARD NEW SENATE NOMINEE DESPITE FRESH WARNING SIGNS
"Bernie says heās not backing Francesca Hong because heās focused on the Senate," Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross posted on X. "Yet heās endorsed in mayoral races, House races, and Troy Jacksonās failed governor race in Maine. Thatās how whacky Hong is".
"Says a lot," Politico reporter Will Steakin posted on X.
"Guy with the Nazi Tattoo āhey everyone makes mistakesā," conservative commentator Stephen L. Miller posted on X. "Crazy communist lady - ānot my cup of tea sorry.ā"
SOCIALIST FRONTRUNNER IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER 'CANCEL THANKSGIVING' POST EMERGES ONLINE
"This guy endorsed a guy with a natzi [sic] tat but thinks @FrancescaHongWi is not worth an endorsementā¦ā¦," Jerry Ponio, legislative director for Americans for Prosperity - Wisconsin, posted on X. "Yikes."
"Well, I guess even Bernie enjoys celebrating Thanksgiving at one of his three houses," an account ran by Hongās likely general election opponent, Republican Tom Tiffany, posted on X.
Tiffanyās post references a controversial quote from Hong that went viral on social media where she suggested canceling Thanksgiving.
"Francesca Hong, who is a Socialist candidate for Governor of Wisconsin is too radical...even for Bernie Sanders," Turning Point Action Northeast Manager Brandon Maly posted on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Hong campaign and Sandersā office for comment.
Critics have argued that Francesca Hong's politics are too far to the left for a swing state like Wisconsin, contending that her identification as a socialist and support for ambitious progressive policies could make her less competitive in a general election.
Hongās social media account is littered with far-left pledges like abolishing the U.S. Senate and defunding the police.
Hong recently tried to walk back those positions in recent interviews ahead of Tuesdayās gubernatorial primary against Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Wisconsin Department of Administration secretary Joel Brennan, and Democratic state Sen. Kelda Roys.
Polls suggest Hong is likely to comfortably win that contest, which will advance her to a race against Tiffany, the likely Republican nominee, in November.
