Staff Reports
Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson reportedly told Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax that State Rep. Francesca Hong “will not be elected” governor. Whether Thompson actually said those exact words on the record matters — and so does what this moment reveals about the messy tug-of-war inside the Wisconsin Democratic primary. The talk on cable says one thing; the polls say another; and voters will decide which story is real.
Did Thompson really say it? The clip is strangely scarce
Let’s get one thing straight: Newsmax published the segment and attributed the line to Former Governor Tommy G. Thompson. That’s a headline-grabber. But thorough searches by reporters turned up no independent, time-stamped transcript or public clip of Thompson saying exactly that on The Record. In plain English: the claim is in play, but public verification is thin. If Thompson did say it on air, it’s a clear example of establishment figures trying to steer a party primary. If no one can produce the tape, then it’s also a reminder that cable sound bites sometimes travel faster than the facts.
Why Democrats are panicking — and why conservatives should enjoy the show
Francesca Hong is widely labeled a democratic socialist and has surged in polls like StateNavigate and Marquette Law School. Some surveys show Hong leading the Democratic field by a comfortable margin. That rise has set off a classic establishment panic: Gov. Tony Evers and other party figures pushing for David Crowley as a safer, more conventional option. Translation: the Democrats are arguing about electability while one candidate racks up support. That internal fight is exactly the opening Republicans want to exploit.
Republicans already have their talking points
On the GOP side, Rep. Tom Tiffany is the heavy favorite and has President Trump’s endorsement. If Democrats nominate a candidate tagged as a “socialist,” Republicans will paint the general election in stark, simple terms — and many voters in a swing state like Wisconsin respond to simple, punchy messages. Whether Thompson’s on-air take is verified or not, his blunt prediction echoes a larger conservative playbook: highlight perceived extremism, stir doubt about electability, and keep the focus on kitchen-table issues where voters usually decide.
So what happens next? If Newsmax or Thompson’s team produces the clip, it will feed the argument that Democrats’ own veterans doubt Hong’s chances. If the clip remains elusive, the episode still reveals the real story: a party fighting itself while conservatives line up to benefit. Either way, Wisconsin voters deserve straight facts and clean debates — not secondhand cable snippets and back-room worry. The primary will answer which narrative wins: the insurgent surge or the establishment fear of it. Grab your popcorn; Wisconsin politics rarely disappoints.
