Francesca Hong’s Wisconsin governor campaign is facing attention after a former child actress and OnlyFans model reportedly took a senior campaign role.
Francesca Hong’s Wisconsin governor campaign is drawing new scrutiny after a report said former child actress and OnlyFans model Renee Olstead is serving in a senior role as the Democratic socialist prepares for next week’s primary. The Heartland Post reported that Olstead, who also uses the name Renee Faust, is Hong’s deputy campaign manager as the state lawmaker competes with other Democrats for the nomination.
The outlet said Olstead has been a paid campaign operative since at least January. Her X profile reads HONG 4 GOV and points users to Hong’s get-out-the-vote page. Her social media account also shows photos from campaign events, and the report said she has handled logistics for prominent surrogates, including streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker. Hong’s campaign did not directly answer Fox News Digital’s questions about Olstead’s title, duties, pay, start date or qualifications, but it did issue a statement defending her.
“Renee Faust is a licensed mental health clinician who has spent her career providing care to trafficking survivors,” the campaign said. “Since joining the campaign in December, she has helped build the largest grassroots campaign in Wisconsin history. The right-wing politicians attacking her are the same ones who want government dictating women's health care decisions.” That response left the campaign’s broader staffing structure and Olstead’s exact responsibilities open to debate, even as Hong’s team sought to frame the criticism as part of a larger fight over women’s health and political power in the state.
Olstead has also been active in advocacy around sex-work policy. She founded the Coalition for American Sex Workers, known as CASW – LOCAL 304, which pushes for decriminalization and related changes for sex workers. Last year, Hong and three other state representatives presented Olstead with an official Wisconsin State Assembly citation honoring her advocacy for sex workers’ rights and her selection as Penthouse Pet of the Year in 2024. Hong did not directly address a separate request asking why she took part in that presentation or what it was intended to recognize.
“Francesca Hong’s Wisconsin governor campaign is facing attention after a former child actress and OnlyFans model reportedly took a senior campaign role.”
The campaign episode lands in the middle of a competitive Democratic primary. Hong is facing Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan and state Sen. Kelda Roys. The race has already put Hong’s past social-media posts under the spotlight, including old comments tied to abolishing the U.S. Senate, defunding the police and canceling Thanksgiving. Hong has recently moved away from some of those positions in interviews before Tuesday’s primary.
Hong has also been tied to broader progressive legislation in Madison. She has backed efforts to decriminalize prostitution involving adults and create a sex workers’ bill of rights, positions that have made her a target for conservatives in the state. Wisconsin Family Action, a conservative group based in Madison, argued that voters deserve serious leadership and questioned whether a reported sex worker in a top campaign role fits that standard.
Daniel Degner, the group’s president, said it was “unbelievable” that the likely Democratic nominee for governor would have an active sex worker leading her campaign. He also asked whether Hong would elevate a porn star to a leadership role if elected. Hong’s campaign has not directly responded to that criticism, but it has tried to shift the focus back to its grassroots operation and its argument about women’s health care and reproductive choice. For Wisconsin voters, the fight now is not just over a candidate’s platform, but over the judgment and alliances surrounding her campaign — a reminder that personnel choices can become a major political issue before a single ballot is cast.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Renee Olstead in Francesca Hong’s campaign?
The Heartland Post reported that Olstead, also known as Renee Faust, is serving as Hong’s deputy campaign manager. The campaign said she joined in December.
How did Hong’s campaign respond to questions about Olstead?
The campaign said Faust is a licensed mental health clinician who has worked with trafficking survivors. It did not directly answer every question about her title, pay or duties.
Who is Francesca Hong running against in the primary?
Hong faces Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan and state Sen. Kelda Roys.
Why is Hong facing added scrutiny?
Her campaign role for Olstead, her past support for progressive proposals and an old deleted Thanksgiving post have all drawn attention ahead of the primary.
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