Key Primary Races and Senate Votes Highlight Shifts in U.S. Politics
Recent primaries in Wisconsin, Michigan and Tennessee, along with a Senate vote on an attorney-general nominee, illustrate intra-party battles and strategic calculations among Democrats and Republicans.
Democratic socialist Francesca Hong emerged as the front-runner in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary after consolidating left-wing voters around a platform that includes expanding social services, higher taxes on the wealthy and stricter regulation of data centers. A 2020 tweet suggesting the cancellation of Thanksgiving resurfaced, prompting Hong to clarify in a Politico interview that she now views the holiday positively.
In Michigan, progressive Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated moderate Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary, winning by a single point. El-Sayed pledged to reach out to Stevens’ supporters, while Republicans rallied behind former Rep. Mike Rogers, emphasizing concerns about El-Sayed’s faith.
The Senate moved forward with the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general after Republican senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn lifted their opposition. With Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski declining to support the nominee, the decision rested on Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted in favor, citing the alternative of an acting attorney general as less desirable.
In the House, North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards withdrew from his reelection bid amid scandal, while Ohio Rep. Max Miller faced continued calls from fellow Republicans, including his former father-in-law Sen. Bernie Moreno, to step aside over allegations related to his divorce and custody dispute. Miller has not indicated an intention to withdraw before the deadline.
Former New York prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, now U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, admitted in a court filing that damage to a Washington, D.C., reflecting pool resulted from a botched installation rather than vandalism. The disclosure drew criticism from President Donald Trump, though Pirro reportedly provided evidence to senior officials to mitigate the fallout.
In Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, Thomas Smith, a little-known candidate, won the Republican primary after the Trump-backed Amir Hassan failed to secure sufficient support. Smith’s campaign finance filing consisted of a handwritten note reporting modest fundraising and technical filing issues.
Tennessee’s primary saw incumbent Rep. Andy Ogles, a Freedom Caucus member endorsed by Trump, lose to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, who was backed by Governor Bill Lee.