Sanders says he does not expect to endorse Francesca Hong ahead of Wisconsin vote

Sen. Bernie Sanders said he does not expect to endorse Francesca Hong, indicating that a potential late endorsement from the senator will not materialize ahead of the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary. Sanders made the remark Wednesday on Pod Save America, telling host Jon Favreau that when asked about whether Sanders would endorse Hong, “I don’t think so.” The comments arrive less than a week before the primary in Wisconsin, according to the report.

The exchange was prompted by Favreau’s question about whether Sanders planned to offer a public endorsement of Hong, who is running for governor in Wisconsin. Sanders’ answer indicated that, as of his appearance on the podcast, he was not planning to endorse her. Sanders also referenced prior contact with Hong, saying he had met her “a couple of years” ago, according to the report. He did not indicate that meeting translated into an endorsement decision, and he did not lay out additional conditions under which he might change course.

Sanders’ statement highlights the role that high-profile endorsements can play in state primaries, particularly for candidates seeking to translate national attention into local support close to Election Day. With the primary approaching, the absence of a Sanders endorsement removes one potential report from a prominent progressive lawmaker.

The report did not describe any other commitments by Sanders to the Hong campaign, including appearances, joint events, or additional public support. Sanders’ comments therefore function primarily as an update on whether he intends to endorse her before voters cast ballots.

Hong’s campaign, meanwhile, is continuing to seek momentum during the final stretch of the primary. With less than a week remaining, decisions about endorsements from outside figures can affect how campaigns position themselves and how allied groups calibrate messaging around candidate support.