Midwest Primaries Test Progressive Influence in Wisconsin and Minnesota Races
Democratic primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota spotlight the clash between progressive and moderate candidates, while Republicans field a mix of establishment and Trump-aligned contenders.
Primary elections in Wisconsin and Minnesota on Tuesday will shape the Democratic Party’s direction ahead of the November midterms. In Wisconsin, state lawmaker Francesca Hong, a self-identified democratic socialist, leads the Democratic gubernatorial primary, emphasizing policies such as Medicare for All and universal childcare. Her campaign has been buoyed by grassroots support, but former Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley reentered the race with Governor Tony Evers’s backing, raising more funds in the final weeks.
"We can work across the aisle to get things done in Madison," Crowley said, positioning himself as a moderate alternative.
Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, endorsed by President Donald Trump, is expected to secure the GOP nomination for governor, presenting himself as a Wisconsin-rooted everyman.
In Minnesota, the open U.S. Senate seat pits Rep. Angie Craig against Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. Craig, who voted for a Trump-backed immigration bill, argues that winning elections is the only way to stop Trump’s influence, while Flanagan, endorsed by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, promises a more aggressive stance against the administration’s immigration policies.
"We can stand with the immigrant community, and not just when it’s politically expedient," Flanagan told supporters.
Both candidates cite the recent federal immigration enforcement actions in the Twin Cities as a defining issue. Meanwhile, the Republican gubernatorial primary features MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, who has Trump’s endorsement, and state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, the party’s only candidate with prior elected experience. Lindell faces questions about residency requirements and past personal allegations, which he describes as a coordinated political attack.
"It started when I got the president’s endorsement," Lindell said.
The outcomes of these primaries will determine whether progressive candidates can secure statewide offices and whether the GOP can maintain or expand its hold on key positions in the Midwest.