Francesca Hong, a Democratic state representative and candidate for governor of Wisconsin, is facing scrutiny over the background of her deputy campaign manager, Renee Faust, a former child actress and adult-content creator who has advocated for changes to laws governing sex work.
Faust, who previously used the name Renee Olstead, joined Hong’s campaign in a senior role.
Faust had television roles as a child before launching an OnlyFans account in 2020.
She was later named a Penthouse Pet of the Month in January 2023 and received the publication’s Pet of the Year honor in 2024, according to The Western Journal.
Faust also founded the Coalition for American Sex Workers, an organization that advocates for the decriminalization of prostitution and other policy changes involving sex work.
Campaign finance records cited by Wisconsin Family Action, a conservative advocacy organization, show Faust received more than $5,700 from the Hong campaign on July 1.
Hong’s campaign has pointed to Faust’s work in mental health and with trafficking survivors when defending her role.
The campaign described Faust as a licensed mental health clinician who has worked with trafficking survivors.
It also credited her with helping build what the campaign described as a major grassroots organization in Wisconsin.
The appointment has drawn criticism from Wisconsin Family Action.
Its president, Daniel Degner, questioned whether Faust would hold a position in a future Hong administration if Hong wins the governor’s race.
The organization also raised concerns about Hong’s positions on prostitution and sexually explicit material.
Hong’s legislative record includes support for legislation related to sex work.
While serving in the Wisconsin Assembly, she introduced a bill that would have legalized adult prostitution and solicitation while establishing a bill of rights for sex workers.
Faust’s advocacy for decriminalizing prostitution aligns with that policy position.
Hong has also faced scrutiny over previous political statements.
A 2020 social media post in which she called for canceling Thanksgiving resurfaced during the campaign.
The post referred to Thanksgiving as a celebration of colonialism and described it as an event connected to the deaths of Indigenous people and women.
Hong later distanced herself from the statement.
She told Politico Playbook that Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday and that she did not want to cancel it, according to Liberty One.
Hong is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and has emerged as a leading candidate in the Democratic primary for governor, according to polling cited by RealClearPolling.
Her Democratic opponents include Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former State Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan, and State Sen. Kelda Roys.
The Republican primary includes Andrew Manske and Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany. The winner of that contest will face the Democratic nominee in the November general election.
Wisconsin Family Action said Hong’s staffing decision raises questions about whether Faust could have a role in state government under a Hong administration.
The organization said voters should consider whether the campaign personnel and policy positions associated with Hong reflect the direction she would take if elected governor.
Hong’s campaign had not publicly responded to Wisconsin Family Action’s Aug. 6 statement at the time of that report.
The Democratic primary is scheduled for Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the November election.
