(The Center Square) – Credit card debt is now an issue in the Democrats’ race for governor in Wisconsin.
Frontrunner Francesca Hong on Wednesday addressed the news that she was being sued over $30,000 in unpaid credit card debt.
“You deserve a real response from me, directly. The real talk,” Hong said in a video she recorded and posted to social media. “I am an ordinary working Wisconsinite, and we are living in an America where too many people have been robbed of the American dream.”
Hong explained that her credit card debt is tied to her now-closed restaurant in Madison.
“I’m not ashamed to have made honest financial mistakes in pursuit of my dream of opening a restaurant,” she added. “What I am ashamed of is a system that treats debt as a moral failure.”
Hong is not the only Democrat in the governor’s race who is talking about credit card debt.
Kirk Bangstad took to social media to share his story, and stick up for Hong.
He wrote, “First and foremost, a candidate running for governor with credit problems is probably the most relatable thing to Wisconsin voters – especially those under 40 who have been left behind by an economy that siphons money to the rich. Most people who read that article probably nodded their heads and say ‘yep, been there.’ Second, there is absolutely no shame in falling behind on credit card payments.”
Bangstad explained that he owed about $30,000 on his credit cards after the 2008 recession.
“I went from ‘just getting by’ to being underwater in less than a month,” Bangstad added.
Hong blamed the other Democrats in the race for trying to use her debt to smear her.
“My opponents are scrambling,” Hong said in her video. “They are scared of what we’ve built, our platform that is resonating with working class people all across the state who feel left behind.”
Bangstad then blamed the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for the story on Hong.
“So sorry, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,” Bangstad wrote. “Your hit piece against Hong fell flat with me, as I’m guessing it did with most Wisconsinites who struggle to meet their basic needs in an economy stacked against them.”
In a March 11-18 poll (when there were nine candidates; today there are eight) Hong had a modest 14%-11% lead over Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes among Democrats in the governor’s race with 65% undecided.
Bangstad joined the race late, and may not make the ballot at all.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission this week ruled that he does not have enough valid signatures to make the cut. He has til Sunday to fix the problems with his nominating petitions.
