Midwest Primaries Test Progressive Candidates in Battlegrounds

Voters in Wisconsin and Minnesota head to the polls Tuesday to choose Democratic nominees in races that highlight competing views on the party's direction ahead of the 2026 midterms. In Wisconsin, state Rep. Francesca Hong leads polls for the open governor's seat after Gov. Tony Evers endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley following a series of candidate withdrawals. Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has raised her profile with early organizing and door-knocking efforts that reached more than 120,000 households, according to her campaign. Crowley reentered the race in July and has focused on his experience in county government.

Next door in Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan faces Rep. Angie Craig in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat being vacated by Tina Smith. Flanagan holds endorsements from Sanders, Warren and Smith, while Craig has support from House Democratic leaders including Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi. Recent SurveyUSA polling showed Craig narrowly ahead with nearly one-fifth of voters undecided. The winner will likely face former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya in November in a state that has not elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006.

These contests follow Abdul El-Sayed's narrow victory over Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan's Senate primary the previous week. Wisconsin and Minnesota are viewed as more competitive than Michigan, raising questions about whether progressive momentum translates to swing-state general elections. The Republican nominee in Wisconsin is expected to be Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is unopposed. In Minnesota, the GOP Senate field includes Tafoya as the frontrunner.

Additional primaries Tuesday include a 10-candidate Republican contest in South Carolina to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with his sister Darline Graham among the contenders and a possible runoff set for Aug. 25. Connecticut Democrats will decide whether to renominate Rep. John B. Larson or replace him with former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin. Alabama holds special primaries in four congressional districts under a court-approved map.

Fundraising and endorsements vary sharply across the races. Hong has spent heavily on early digital and field operations while holding roughly $406,000 in cash on hand compared with Crowley's $463,000. In the Minnesota Senate race, outside spending has been limited relative to Michigan. Democratic strategists have expressed concern that a Hong nomination could affect down-ballot races and donor interest in the state.