We’ve extensively discussed how the Trump coalition is not reliably Republican. They can and will vote for Democrats, just as they did in the 2018 midterms, and a significant part of the base considers themselves economically progressive. These individuals are similar to the old Ross Perot voters, so, to the surprise of the political elite, Republicans need to actively work to retain their votes. Otherwise, they might shift toward interesting alternatives, such as Francesca Hong, who’s running for governor in Wisconsin.
Hong identifies as a democratic socialist, so why is she gaining support from Trump supporters? This is an issue expected to grow in importance in future elections, and we’re already seeing early signs. It’s subtle, but locally, it’s becoming part of the bigger conversation—specifically, data centers. Hong has made campaigning for a statewide moratorium a key focus. The New York Times published an interesting piece on July 3 that discussed Hong’s messaging to those outside her usual voter base. People, she has appeal. It’s not certain she will win the crowded Democratic primary on August 11, but Hong is making every effort to attract support across party lines. She has built bridges with Trump supporters, and love her or hate her, her story resonates with millions: she’s a working American, a chef by trade, her restaurant failed, she sank deep into debt, and got sued over it. It’s a life experience not exactly alien to most (via NYT):