In January 2025, the Wisconsin Assembly overwhelmingly passed Assembly Bill 677, a measure that criminalizes the act of grooming a child for sexual activity by making it a felony offense. The bill, which passed 93-6, was signed into law by Democratic Governor Tony Evers in March. Among the six dissenting votes was Francesca Hong, a Democrat and current front-runner in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Background of Assembly Bill 677
The legislation was introduced following a high-profile case involving Christian Enwright, a public school teacher who engaged in a months-long grooming relationship with a 14-year-old student. Despite the severity of the conduct, Enwright was only charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct due to the absence of a specific grooming statute in Wisconsin law at the time. This limitation allowed Enwright to avoid registration as a sex offender.
Assembly Bill 677 aimed to close this legal gap by defining grooming a child for sexual activity as a felony. The bill states that no person may engage in a course of conduct or pattern of behavior intended to condition, seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child for sexual intercourse, sexual contact, or the production and distribution of sexually explicit depictions involving the child.
Opposition from the Socialist Caucus
While the bill received broad bipartisan support, six Democrats voted against it. Four of these dissenters, including Francesca Hong, are members of the Assembly’s Socialist Caucus, which unanimously opposed the legislation. Alongside Hong, state Representatives Angelina Cruz and Christian Phelps were vocal critics.
Angelina Cruz, a public school teacher and former labor union leader, argued that the bill was not about protecting children but rather about advancing a political agenda. Cruz expressed concern that the term “groomer” had been weaponized as a slur against LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly educators, framing the bill as a form of institutionalized hate speech.
Christian Phelps, vice chair of the Assembly’s LGBTQ+ Caucus, echoed this sentiment, describing the bill as lacking a good-faith effort to address child protection. The Socialist Caucus members collectively rejected the measure, highlighting ideological divisions within the Democratic Party on this issue.
Support from Education and Government Officials
Despite opposition from the Socialist Caucus, the bill garnered support from key education and government entities. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, which oversees public education and libraries, endorsed the legislation. Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, signed the bill into law in March 2025, underscoring the administration’s commitment to strengthening child protection laws.
Following the law’s enactment, prosecutors began charging individuals under the new statute shortly after it took effect, marking a significant shift in how grooming cases are handled in Wisconsin.
Francesca Hong’s Silence on Her Vote
Francesca Hong, who is currently leading in the Democratic primary race for governor, has not publicly explained her opposition to Assembly Bill 677. Requests for comment from her campaign regarding her vote against creating a felony for grooming offenses went unanswered.
Four of the bill’s opponents have endorsed Hong’s gubernatorial bid, indicating that her stance on this issue aligns with a faction of the Democratic base that is skeptical of the legislation’s intent and impact.
Conclusion
Assembly Bill 677 represents a significant legislative effort to criminalize grooming behavior in Wisconsin, closing a legal loophole that previously limited prosecutors’ ability to address such offenses effectively. The bill’s passage, despite opposition from a small group of Democrats including Francesca Hong, reflects broad consensus on the need for stronger child protection laws.
Hong’s vote against the bill and the lack of public explanation have raised questions amid her gubernatorial campaign, highlighting ongoing debates within the Democratic Party over the intersection of child protection, LGBTQ+ rights, and political rhetoric. As Wisconsin voters consider their choices for governor, Hong’s legislative record on this issue is likely to be a point of scrutiny.
Source: Read the original reporting.
