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Wisconsin and Minnesota Primaries Test Progressives Against Democratic Establishment/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Progressive candidates are challenging establishment-backed Democrats in major Wisconsin and Minnesota primaries Tuesday. The contests follow Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan victory, which energized the left while raising Democratic concerns about November electability. Voters in Connecticut and Vermont will also decide races testing party leadership, experience and ideological direction.

Quick Look

• Wisconsin and Minnesota hold major Democratic primaries Tuesday.
• The contests follow Abdul El-Sayed’s progressive victory in Michigan.
• Francesca Hong faces David Crowley and two others in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary.
• Gov. Tony Evers endorsed Crowley after he reentered the race.
• Republicans spent nearly $3.6 million on advertisements featuring Hong.
• Republicans believe Hong could be easier to defeat in November.
• The Democratic nominee will face Republican Tom Tiffany.
• Trump endorsed Tiffany and called Hong a communist.
• Angie Craig faces Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota’s Senate primary.
• Trump’s immigration crackdown has shaped the Minnesota contest.
• Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has remained neutral.
• Gwen Walz endorsed Craig.
• Craig has received more outside financial support than Flanagan.
• Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont faces a progressive challenger.
• Rep. John Larson is seeking a 15th term.
• Vermont Democrats are choosing a challenger to Gov. Phil Scott.

Deep Look

Progressives challenge Democratic establishment in the Midwest

MADISON, Wis. — Democratic primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota will provide the next major tests of the party’s ideological direction as progressive candidates challenge rivals backed by more established political figures.

In Wisconsin, democratic socialist Francesca Hong is competing for the gubernatorial nomination against Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and two other candidates.

In Minnesota, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan faces moderate U.S. Rep. Angie Craig for an open Senate seat.

The contests come one week after Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s expensive and divisive Democratic Senate primary.

El-Sayed’s victory energized progressive activists while increasing concerns among party leaders that moving left in competitive states could make it more difficult to win general elections in November.

Wisconsin primary follows weeks of chaos

Hong is seeking the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin governor in a four-way primary shaped by withdrawals, reentries and a campaign finance scandal.

Her leading rival, Crowley, has the backing of popular two-term Gov. Tony Evers, who is not seeking reelection.

Evers endorsed Crowley on July 18, the same day the Milwaukee County executive reentered the race.

Crowley had withdrawn 10 days earlier and endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. He returned after Rodriguez suspended her campaign amid a finance scandal.

Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes also withdrew on July 29 after previously being viewed as a potential front-runner.

Both Barnes and Rodriguez remain listed on the ballot, and absentee votes already cast for them cannot be changed.

That creates additional uncertainty over how many Democratic votes will effectively go to candidates who are no longer campaigning.

Evers and Crowley make final statewide push

Evers and Crowley traveled across Wisconsin together during the final days of the campaign.

Establishment Democrats hope the governor’s endorsement will help consolidate voters behind Crowley after the primary field’s sudden changes.

At a rally attended by hundreds of people Sunday in Hong’s hometown of Madison, Evers argued that Crowley gives Democrats their strongest opportunity to defeat Republican nominee Tom Tiffany.

Crowley also urged Democrats to reunite after Tuesday’s primary regardless of which candidate wins.

Republicans spend millions highlighting Hong

The Republican Governors Association has spent nearly $3.6 million through its Right Direction Wisconsin political action committee on advertisements featuring Hong.

The advertisements contrast Hong with Trump and emphasize her liberal policy positions.

Crowley and other Democrats argue that Republicans are attempting to increase Hong’s support in the Democratic primary because they consider her easier to defeat in November.

The strategy allows Republicans to influence the opposing party’s nominating contest without explicitly telling Democratic voters to support Hong.

Tiffany, one of the most conservative members of Congress, has Trump’s endorsement.

Trump called Hong a communist Wednesday and highlighted a 2020 social media post in which she called for canceling Thanksgiving.

Asked about the old post, Hong reversed that position and said Thanksgiving was now her favorite holiday.

Wisconsin governor’s office critical to Democratic plans

Trump carried Wisconsin in both 2016 and 2024.

Republicans have controlled both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature since 2011, allowing them to enact a broad conservative agenda.

The Democratic governor’s office has served as an important check on Republican legislative power.

Keeping the governorship is therefore central to Democratic hopes of gaining full control of Wisconsin’s government for the first time in 16 years.

The primary winner will face Tiffany in November in a state with a history of exceptionally close statewide elections.

Trump backs Duffy relative in House race

Tiffany’s run for governor created an open congressional seat.

Michael Alfonso, the son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, is competing in a five-candidate Republican primary to replace Tiffany.

Alfonso is attempting to represent the congressional district previously held by Duffy.

Trump has endorsed him, giving Alfonso an important advantage in the Republican contest.

Minnesota primary shaped by immigration operation

In neighboring Minnesota, Craig and Flanagan are competing for the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith.

The race is taking place in the aftermath of Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement operation in the state.

Federal immigration officers killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti during confrontations in Minneapolis that were captured on video.

Their deaths produced a backlash against Trump’s immigration policies and intensified Democratic scrutiny of Craig’s previous support for tougher enforcement legislation.

Both candidates spent the final weekend traveling through the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and making their closing arguments to primary voters.

Craig argues progressive goals require electoral victories

Craig spoke Sunday from a driveway in suburban Eagan, addressing voters frustrated with Washington and the influence of money in politics.

She called for banning members of Congress from trading stocks, restricting former lawmakers from becoming lobbyists and limiting corporate campaign spending.

Craig argues that she supports progressive objectives but has the electoral experience required to win competitive races and build governing majorities.

Craig has repeatedly won a competitive congressional district and presents that history as evidence that she can appeal to the broader electorate in November.

Walz stays neutral as wife backs Craig

Unlike Evers in Wisconsin, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has declined to endorse a candidate in the Democratic Senate primary.

Flanagan has served as his lieutenant governor and governing partner for two terms.

Walz’s wife, Gwen Walz, endorsed Craig and campaigned alongside her Sunday.

The endorsement highlighted the unusual political divisions created by the contest, with the governor staying neutral while his wife supports Flanagan’s opponent.

Flanagan calls for political shake-up

Flanagan campaigned Saturday with Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a progressive Democrat who has endorsed her candidacy.

They argued that Washington needs a fundamental shift to break the influence of wealthy corporations, special interests and political donors.

Flanagan supports policies including Medicare for All and reductions in U.S. military support for Israel.

Her campaign portrays the primary as a contest between a grassroots progressive movement and a political system supported by large donors and outside groups.

Minnesota contest draws millions in spending

The race has become one of the most expensive political contests in Minnesota history.

Both candidates have benefited from millions of dollars in campaign and outside spending.

The financial advantage, however, has fallen disproportionately in Craig’s favor.

Flanagan and her supporters cite the spending gap as evidence that wealthy interests prefer Craig and are attempting to shape the Democratic nomination.

The eventual nominee will enter the general election as the favorite to replace Smith.

Minnesota has not elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006, although Republicans hope a divisive Democratic primary could create an opening.

Lindell runs for Minnesota governor

MyPillow founder Mike Lindell is a leading Republican candidate for Minnesota governor.

Trump has endorsed Lindell, who became one of the most prominent promoters of false claims about widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is competing in a six-candidate primary on her party’s side.

Connecticut incumbents face challenges from left

Democratic divisions will also be visible in Connecticut, where two veteran incumbents face progressive primary challengers.

Moderate Gov. Ned Lamont is seeking a third term against progressive state Rep. Josh Elliott.

The winner will face Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio in November.

Longtime Democratic Rep. John Larson, 78, is seeking a 15th House term in a four-candidate primary.

His age and health have become major campaign issues.

Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin narrowly secured the Democratic Party’s endorsement at its state convention in May.

The other contenders are Hartford Board of Education member Ruth Fortune and state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest.

Vermont Democrats select challenger to Phil Scott

In Vermont, two Democrats are competing for the nomination to challenge Republican Gov. Phil Scott.

Aly Richards, the former leader of a child advocacy organization, has received endorsements from former Democratic Govs. Howard Dean and Madeleine Kunin.

She faces economist Amanda Janoo.

Tuesday’s results across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut and Vermont will offer another measure of whether Democratic voters prefer progressive challengers or candidates associated with the party’s established leadership.

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