After a landslide win, chef and restaurant owner Francesca Hong is the first Asian American to be elected as a representative for Wisconsin’s state legislature, Wisconsin State Journal reports.
According to Madison365, election results from Dane County report that Hong received 88% of total votes, beating Republican candidate Patrick Hull for the 76th Assembly District seat by an overwhelming 76%.
Hong, co-owner of Morris Ramen, previously beat out six other Democrat candidates in the primary, Wisconsin State Journal reports. She replaces incumbent Rep. Chris Taylor.
“I decided to run for the state legislature because it’s really missing representation,” Hong said, according to The Appeal. “I’m born and raised in Wisconsin, I’m a daughter of immigrants… and to know that there are so many people who do not feel safe, people who do not feel like they have the opportunities I have, has really made me reevaluate what’s going on.”
Up until now, public frustration towards the state legislature has run high. According to The Appeal, Wisconsin’s legislature “has been the least active full-time legislative body [in the U.S.]” since the start of the pandemic. This was another motivating factor encouraging Hong to take action directly.
AsAmNews also reported in August that COVID-19-related xenophobia further pushed Hong to run for this position. In Facebook and Instagram posts written after the election results on Tuesday night, Hong promised to be an advocate for all underrepresented people of Wisconsin — not just AAPIs. Some of her goals include helping the working class improve health, housing, education, climate, and wealth-building conditions.
“Above all, we must prioritize racial equity, and work to invest in communities that have been defunded and decimated by irresponsible and apathetic GOP leadership,” Hong wrote. “I believe in change, but more importantly, I believe in transformation… We must transform our collective fear and uncertainty into collective power and action.”
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