In the grand circus of politics, Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race has taken an interesting turn as Francesca Hong, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, embarks on a quest for power. She’s the newest darling of the far-left, hoping to score a victory and potentially drag the state on a radical rollercoaster ride. But her candidacy isn’t just raising eyebrows; it’s setting off alarm bells among establishment Democrats, who worry her drastic ideas might lead them into a political ditch come November.

Hong is drawing attention, but not always for the right reasons. She’s been busy on the campaign trail, trying to explain away some rather eyebrow-raising past statements. Calls to abolish ICE, defund the police, and even eradicate the Senate are all part of her political repertoire. And, of course, her colorful Twitter history includes such hits as trashing Thanksgiving, fireworks, and Valentine’s Day. These aren’t exactly the kind of sentiments that help win over the average voter, who’s just trying to enjoy a turkey dinner without being branded a holiday heretic.

While Hong’s supporters, including some ultra-progressives, might be cheering for her vision of a socialist utopia, mainstream Democrats are left feeling skittish. The Wall Street Journal reports that her primary lead is causing a collective outbreak of anxiety sweats among the party faithful. They’re worried that her candidacy might be the perfect recipe for handing the governorship over to the Republicans on a silver platter. It’s a classic case of whether a more extreme presence might push moderates back over to the right.

Then there’s the intriguing tale of endorsements, or rather, the lack thereof. Although she’s apparently tried to hitch her wagon to Bernie Sanders’ star, even he’s keeping a few steps back, citing concerns about her unpolished socialist state. Maybe Hong’s no AOC with the media finesse to match her fervor, but that’s hardly comforting. If Bernie and AOC are giving you the side-eye, it might be time to reassess the game plan.

As the Democrats nervously watch the results roll in, there’s talk of the inevitable folding in. It’s the sort of political poker where no matter how bizarre the hand, the party rallies behind whoever holds the winning ticket for the primary. In this case, if Hong wins, even those who are now trembling at her policies will likely join the socialist train. It’s a surreal twist that leaves one wondering if the Democrats are trying to outdo the plotlines of reality TV drama.