Sanders Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Selective Endorsements After Hong Loses Wisconsin Primary
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 13
Sanders Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Selective Endorsements After Hong Loses Wisconsin Primary
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 13
Summary
Wisconsin candidate Hong’s loss has reignited debate among progressive allies over whether Bernie Sanders and other national left figures should intervene in more races.
Nina Turner said backing from better-known, actively elected progressives probably could have helped Hong, though she also argued the movement cannot rely on a few personalities to decide outcomes.
Ro Khanna, one of the few national progressives to endorse Hong, defended early endorsements for policy-aligned candidates but declined to blame Sanders after the primary.
Hong’s race also carried clear headwinds beyond endorsements: little traditional advertising, negative attention over past social media posts, and a crowded field that split votes.
Madison DSA’s Dillon Sheehan said Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might have pushed Hong over the edge, but added progressives need candidates who can win without Sanders’ backing.