Democratic and Republican primaries in Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Carolina draw national attention
Primaries in six states on Tuesday feature competitive races for governor in Wisconsin, a Senate seat in Minnesota and a special primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham in South Carolina.
Six states are holding primaries on Tuesday, with key contests in Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Carolina. In Wisconsin, the Democratic nomination for governor is a contest between state legislator Francesca Hong, identified with the Democratic Socialists of America, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is positioned as a centrist candidate. Both have secured the endorsements of prominent state figures, and the race follows the withdrawal of former candidates Mandela Barnes and Sara Rodriguez.
"It's becoming very clear who the Democratic nominee is going to be," said Barnes after ending his campaign, pointing to Hong as the likely front-runner.
Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, a member of the House Freedom Caucus and a close ally of President Trump, is expected to win the GOP nomination for Wisconsin governor unopposed.
In Minnesota, the open Senate seat pits centrist Rep. Angie Craig against progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. Craig has the backing of national Democratic leaders, while Flanagan is endorsed by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. On the Republican side, former sportscaster Michele Tafoya leads a field that includes retired Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze and former basketball player Royce White.
South Carolina holds a special primary to select the Republican nominee who will appear on the November ballot for the seat vacated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Graham’s sister, Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to complete the term, is running for a full term and has received an endorsement from President Trump. She faces nine other GOP candidates, including Representatives Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, and former Governor Mark Sanford.
Other notable races include Wisconsin’s 3rd and 1st congressional districts, where Democrats are targeting seats held by Republicans, and Alabama’s 2nd district, where a redrawn map has made the seat more favorable to Republicans.
The primaries are being watched for indications of how progressive and moderate factions within the Democratic Party are shaping up ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as well as the extent of President Trump’s influence on Republican contests.