Francesca Hong, a Democratic state representative and leading candidate for governor of Wisconsin, is facing significant scrutiny regarding the hiring of Renee Faust as her deputy campaign manager. Faust, who previously used the name Renee Olstead, has a background as a former child actress and has gained prominence as an adult-content creator and advocate for sex work decriminalization. The appointment has drawn sharp criticism from conservative organizations in the state, particularly Wisconsin Family Action, which has raised questions about Hong's judgment and policy stances.
"questioned whether Faust would hold a position in a future Hong administration if Hong wins the governor’s race." — Daniel Degner, President of Wisconsin Family Action.
Faust's professional journey includes early television roles as a child. In 2020, she launched an OnlyFans account, a platform for adult content. Her profile further rose in the adult entertainment industry when she was named a Penthouse Pet of the Month in January 2023, followed by the publication's Pet of the Year honor in 2024, as reported by The Western Journal. Beyond her work in adult entertainment, Faust founded the Coalition for American Sex Workers, an organization actively campaigning for the decriminalization of prostitution and advocating for broader policy changes concerning sex work.
Campaign finance records, specifically cited by Wisconsin Family Action, indicate that Faust received more than $5,700 from Hong’s campaign on July 1. This financial transaction, coupled with Faust's public profile and advocacy, has become a central point of contention in the gubernatorial primary race.
In response to the criticism, Hong’s campaign has defended Faust’s role by highlighting her work in mental health and her engagement with trafficking survivors. The campaign describes Faust as a licensed mental health clinician who has dedicated efforts to assisting individuals who have experienced trafficking. Furthermore, the campaign credits Faust with instrumental contributions to building what it characterized as a major grassroots organization within Wisconsin, suggesting her experience extends beyond her adult entertainment background into community organizing and advocacy.
However, Wisconsin Family Action has remained critical of the appointment. Daniel Degner, president of the organization, publicly questioned whether Faust would be considered for a position within a future Hong administration should Hong win the governor’s race. The organization also voiced concerns that Hong’s staffing decisions and associated policy positions might not align with the values of many Wisconsin voters. They contend that voters should carefully consider whether the campaign personnel and the policy stances linked to Hong accurately reflect the direction she would pursue if elected governor. At the time of the report, Hong's campaign had not issued a public response to Wisconsin Family Action's August 6 statement.
The controversy is further exacerbated by Hong’s legislative record concerning sex work. During her tenure in the Wisconsin Assembly, she introduced a bill that proposed the legalization of adult prostitution and solicitation, alongside the establishment of a bill of rights specifically for sex workers. This legislative initiative aligns directly with Faust’s advocacy for the decriminalization of prostitution, suggesting a shared policy vision between the candidate and her deputy campaign manager.
Beyond the current staffing debate, Hong has also faced scrutiny over past political statements. A social media post from 2020, in which she called for the cancellation of Thanksgiving, resurfaced during the campaign. In the post, Hong referred to Thanksgiving as a "celebration of colonialism" and linked it to the deaths of Indigenous people and women. She later distanced herself from these comments, telling Politico Playbook that Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday and that she had no desire to cancel it, according to Liberty One.
Francesca Hong is a recognized member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and has emerged as a prominent candidate in the Democratic primary for governor, according to polling data cited by RealClearPolling. She faces competition from other notable Democratic figures, including Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former State Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan, and State Senator Kelda Roys. On the Republican side, candidates Andrew Manske and Republican Representative Tom Tiffany are vying for their party's nomination. The winners of both primaries will advance to the November general election, where the issues surrounding Hong’s campaign and personnel choices are likely to remain central to public discourse. The Democratic primary is scheduled for Tuesday.
