Francesca Hong

Francesca Hong (born November 4, 1988) is an American politician, former chef, and businesswoman who has been a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly since 202

Francesca Hong
Francesca Hong
Hong during a debate in July 2026
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 76th district
Assumed office
January 4, 2021
Preceded byChris Taylor
Personal details
Born (1988-11-04) November 4, 1988 (age 37)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Matt Morris
​
(divorced)​
Children1
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (attended)
Website

Francesca Hong (born November 4, 1988) is an American politician, former chef, and businesswoman who has been a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly since 2021. She is a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America. She unsuccessfully ran for governor of Wisconsin in 2026.

Hong is the first Asian-American member of the Wisconsin State Legislature.[1] She formed the first Asian Caucus in the State Assembly in 2025 and is also a member of the Assembly Socialist Caucus.

Early life

Francesca Hong was born on November 4, 1988, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Korean-American immigrant parents.[2][3] She studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studied Spanish and journalism.[4] Hong dropped out in 2009 to work a full-time job.

Chef career

In 2011, she became executive chef of the American bistro 43 North in Madison, which closed in 2016.[5][6] In 2016, Hong and her then-husband, Matt Morris, opened Morris Ramen in Madison. The restaurant closed in 2024.[7] Also in 2016, Hong helped found the Culinary Ladies Collective, alongside fellow business owners Tami Lax and Laila Borokhim.[8]

Wisconsin State Assembly (2021–present)

In July 2020, Hong announced that she would run for the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent the 76th district, even though she did not live in the district.[9] Hong ran a progressive campaign and was against the Madison police union and supported kitchen workers forming unions.[10][11] She won the Democratic nomination with 28% of the vote and would go on to wing the November general election. She was sworn in on January 4, 2021. She became the first Asian American state legislator in Wisconsin history.[12] In 2022, Hong was reelected unopposed. In the 2024 elections, Hong was again reelected.

2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

In September 2025, Hong announced her candidacy for governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election.[13] Hong is the only democratic socialist in the race.[14] Her campaign has been compared to the mayoral campaign of Zohran Mamdani in New York City.[14]

By July 2026, she became the front-runner for the Democratic nomination.[15]

Hong lost the Democratic nomination to Milwaukee County executive David Crowley in an upset on August 11, 2026.[2]

Personal life

Hong lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her son. She works part-time as a bartender.[16]

When Hong was 18 years old, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after being hospitalized.[17]

References

  1. ↑ Meyerhofer, Kelly (November 5, 2020). "Madison voters elect 1st Asian-American and 1st Muslim to state Legislature". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Representative Francesca Hong". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved September 13, 2025. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":0" defined multiple times with different content.
  3. ↑ "District 76 - Madison - Meet Francesca Hong". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  4. ↑ Reilly, Briana (January 6, 2021). "Into the fire: Chef, restaurant owner, activist Francesca Hong brings a service mindset to the Capitol". The Cap Times. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  5. ↑ Journal, Samara Kalk Derby | Wisconsin State (2016-08-18). "Restaurant News: 43 North closed, possibly indefinitely, due to pipe problem". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  6. ↑ Christians, Lindsay (January 10, 2022). "A room of her own: Where are the female executive chefs?". The Cap Times. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  7. ↑ Christians, Lindsay (February 13, 2024). "Morris Ramen on King Street to close Feb. 24". The Cap Times. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  8. ↑ Brogan, Dylan (May 10, 2017). "Better together". Isthmus. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  9. ↑ Reilly, Briana (July 24, 2020). "Assembly candidate Francesca Hong doesn't live in the 76th District, plans to move there". The Cap Times. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  10. ↑ Ferral, Katelyn (August 11, 2020). "Chef Francesca Hong tops seven-candidate field to claim 76th Assembly win". The Cap Times. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  11. ↑ Hong, Francesca (October 8, 2020). "I'm Running for Office This November Because I'm a Chef and My Whole Industry Is at Stake". Bon Appétit. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  12. ↑ Hamer, Emily (August 12, 2020). "Francesca Hong wins packed race for Assembly District 76 on Madison's liberal Isthmus". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  13. ↑ Booker, Brakkton (September 17, 2025). "Leader of anti-Biden protest vote announces bid for Wisconsin governor". Politico. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Beran, Liam (November 10, 2025). "Can Francesca Hong capture Mamdani's momentum?". Isthmus. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  15. ↑ Beck, Molly (July 30, 2026). "Hong looks beyond primary as her lead in the Democratic field widens". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  16. ↑ John McCormick. (27 July 2026). "A Democratic Socialist Bartender Rattles Party Elite in Run for Wisconsin Governor". [1] Accessed 28 July 2026.
  17. ↑ Marsh, Steve (2025-09-21). "Soup Lefty". Meal Magazine. Retrieved 2026-08-01.

Other websites

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