Progressive and establishment Democrats vie for nominations in Wisconsin governor and Minnesota Senate primaries
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In Wisconsin and Minnesota, progressive candidates are challenging establishment-backed rivals ahead of Aug. 11 primaries, while Republicans invest in the contests to influence outcomes.
Progressive candidates are intensifying their campaigns for Wisconsin governor and Minnesota U.S. Senate as the Aug. 11 primaries approach, putting pressure on Democratic party leaders. In Wisconsin, democratic socialist Francesca Hong faces a four-candidate Democratic primary that includes Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who received the endorsement of Governor Tony Evers after the withdrawal of other contenders. Crowley and Evers have been touring the state in the final days before ballots are cast.
"I feel like we caught lightning in a bottle," Crowley said while thanking volunteers in Madison.
Republican groups have spent millions on advertisements that compare Hong with President Donald Trump and highlight her liberal positions, arguing that the ads may boost her standing because Republicans view her as the more favorable opponent for Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in the general election. Evers expressed confidence that Crowley offers the best chance to defeat Tiffany, warning that a Tiffany victory would be akin to electing Trump as governor.
"We’re going to win this thing," Evers said at a rally in Madison.
Hong, speaking to supporters, emphasized the need for unity to defeat Tiffany and indicated openness to campaigning with Evers after the primary.
In Minnesota, the Democratic Senate primary pits moderate Rep. Angie Craig against progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. The contest follows heightened attention to immigration enforcement in the state, including the deaths of two individuals during a federal operation in Minneapolis. Craig criticized corporate influence in politics and called for stricter limits on campaign spending, while Flanagan, accompanied by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, highlighted the role of big-money interests across party lines.
"It is big corporations, it’s special interests who are putting their thumb on the scale in our elections across the country," Flanagan said.
Governor Tim Walz has not publicly endorsed either Senate candidate, though his wife campaigned with Craig. The primary will determine the Democratic nominee to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith, with the winner expected to be the leading contender in the November race.
Both primaries are drawing significant financial backing, and Republicans are actively seeking to shape the Democratic contests, believing the outcomes will affect their prospects in the general elections.