2026 US Primaries: Progressive Wins in Minnesota, Loss in Wisconsin
On August 11-12, 2026, primary elections in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Carolina set the stage for the November midterms. In Minnesota, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic Senate primary, while Sen. Amy Klobuchar secured the gubernatorial nod. Trump-endorsed Mike Lindell lost the GOP gubernatorial primary. In Wisconsin, progressive Francesca Hong narrowly lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary to establishment candidate David Crowley. The results highlight ongoing intra-party divisions ahead of the general election.
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Left loses key Wisconsin race, wins in Minnesota
Primary elections in Wisconsin and Minnesota on Tuesday delivered mixed results for progressive and establishment Democrats, as well as for Trump-endorsed candidates. In Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, establishment-backed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong by less than 1%. He will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the general election. Meanwhile, Trump-endorsed Michael Alfonso won the GOP primary for Tiffany's seat. In Minnesota, Trump-backed 'MyPillow Guy' Mike Lindell lost the GOP gubernatorial primary to state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who will face Sen. Amy Klobuchar. On the Democratic side, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the primary to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith, defeating Rep. Angie Craig. The results highlight ongoing internal battles within both parties, with neither establishment nor insurgent wings gaining a decisive advantage.
Left loses key Wisconsin race, wins in Minnesota
Primary elections in Wisconsin and Minnesota on Tuesday delivered mixed results for the Democratic Party's progressive and establishment factions, as well as for candidates endorsed by President Donald Trump. In Wisconsin's most-watched Democratic gubernatorial primary, establishment-backed David Crowley narrowly defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong by less than 1%. He will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the general election. Meanwhile, Trump-endorsed Michael Alfonso won the GOP primary for Tiffany's seat. In Minnesota, Trump-backed 'MyPillow Guy' Mike Lindell lost the GOP gubernatorial primary to state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who will face Sen. Amy Klobuchar. On the Democratic side, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the primary to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith, defeating Rep. Angie Craig. The results highlight the ongoing internal battle within the Democratic Party between establishment and insurgent left-wing candidates, with neither side achieving a decisive victory.
Left loses key Wisconsin race, wins in Minnesota
In Tuesday's primaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the progressive and establishment wings of the Democratic Party saw mixed results. In Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, establishment-backed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong by less than 1%. He will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the general election. Meanwhile, Trump-endorsed Michael Alfonso won the GOP primary for Tiffany's seat. In Minnesota, Trump-endorsed 'MyPillow Guy' Mike Lindell lost the GOP gubernatorial primary to state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who will face Sen. Amy Klobuchar. On the Democratic side, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the primary to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith, defeating Rep. Angie Craig. She will face Republican former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya. The results highlight ongoing divisions within both parties ahead of the general election.
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Wisconsin and Minnesota Primary Results: Hong Defeated, Cooke and Little Win
The article analyzes recent Democratic primary results in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In Wisconsin's gubernatorial race, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated socialist candidate Francesca Hong, who was seen as an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez-like figure. Crowley, a moderate pro-business Democrat, will face Republican Tom Tiffany in the general election. In Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district, moderate Democrat Rebecca Cooke won her primary and will again face Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden. In Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, progressive Matt Little won his primary, positioning himself as a left-wing candidate in a district now favoring Democrats. The article warns against overgeneralizing from these results, noting that DSA candidates have won in urban areas but may struggle in more moderate districts.
Minnesota Primary Election Results: Flanagan Wins Senate Primary, Lindell Loses Gubernatorial Bid
The article reports on the Minnesota primary election results. In the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party primary for U.S. Senate, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan defeated Representative Angie Craig to replace retiring Senator Tina Smith. Flanagan, endorsed by progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, criticized Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and pledged to reject AIPAC donations, while Craig had establishment support. In the Republican Senate primary, former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya defeated Royce White and others. For governor, Senator Amy Klobuchar won the Democratic nomination after Governor Tim Walz dropped out amid welfare program mismanagement criticism. She will face Republican nominee Lisa Demuth, the Minnesota House Speaker, who defeated Trump ally and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell in the GOP primary.
Minnesota Primary Election Results: Flanagan Wins Senate Primary, Lindell Loses Gubernatorial Bid
The article reports on the results of Minnesota's Democratic and Republican primary elections. In the U.S. Senate Democratic primary, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan defeated Representative Angie Craig, with Flanagan backed by progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, while Craig had establishment support. Flanagan has criticized Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and refused AIPAC donations. In the Republican Senate primary, Michele Tafoya won. For governor, Senator Amy Klobuchar won the Democratic nomination after Governor Tim Walz dropped out amid welfare program mismanagement criticisms. She will face Republican Lisa Demuth, who defeated Trump ally Mike Lindell in the GOP primary.
Minnesota Primary Election Results: Flanagan Wins Senate Primary, Lindell Loses Gubernatorial Bid
In Minnesota's primary elections, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan defeated Representative Angie Craig in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party primary for U.S. Senate, replacing retiring incumbent Tina Smith. Flanagan, endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, criticized Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and pledged not to take AIPAC donations, while Craig had support from party establishment figures like Nancy Pelosi. In the Republican Senate primary, former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya defeated Royce White and others. For governor, Senator Amy Klobuchar won the Democratic nomination after Governor Tim Walz dropped out amid welfare program mismanagement criticisms. She will face Republican Lisa Demuth, who defeated Trump ally and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell in the GOP primary.
Flanagan Clinches Democratic Senate Nod in Minnesota in Win for Progressives
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan defeated moderate Rep. Angie Craig in the Democratic Senate primary on August 12, 2026, with 59% of the vote to Craig's 39%, continuing progressive momentum in Senate primaries. Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, would be the first Native American woman in the Senate if elected. She will face Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, in the general election. Flanagan had backing from Sen. Bernie Sanders and retiring Sen. Tina Smith, and criticized Craig for supporting the Laken Riley Act. Meanwhile, progressives suffered a setback in Wisconsin as state Rep. Francesca Hong lost to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. In Minnesota's gubernatorial race, Sen. Amy Klobuchar won the Democratic primary, while Trump-endorsed Mike Lindell lost the Republican primary to state House Speaker Lisa Demuth.
Flanagan Clinches Democratic Senate Nod in Minnesota in Win for Progressives
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic Senate primary on August 12, 2026, defeating moderate Rep. Angie Craig with 59% of the vote. Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, would become the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate if she wins the general election. She ran as a progressive, criticizing Craig for supporting the Laken Riley Act, and was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and retiring Sen. Tina Smith. Flanagan will face Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, in the general election. In a setback for progressives, Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong lost her Democratic primary to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Meanwhile, Sen. Amy Klobuchar won the Democratic primary for Minnesota governor, and state House Speaker Lisa Demuth defeated Trump-endorsed Mike Lindell in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Polls Close in Primary Elections Across the US; Progressive Democrats Face Key Tests
Polls began closing on August 11, 2026, in primary elections across the United States, setting the stage for the November midterms. In South Carolina, Republican voters chose a nominee to succeed the late Senator Lindsey Graham. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, progressive Democrats face crucial contests against more moderate candidates. In Minnesota, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is challenging centrist Rep. Angie Craig for the Democratic Senate nomination. In Wisconsin, Democratic socialist Francesca Hong is the frontrunner for the gubernatorial nomination, while retiring Governor Tony Evers has endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. These races are seen as a test of the progressive wing's momentum within the Democratic Party.
Democrats clash again in Minnesota and Wisconsin primaries as big midterm races take shape
The article reports on Democratic primary elections in Wisconsin and Minnesota on August 11, 2026, highlighting a clash between progressive and moderate wings of the party. In Wisconsin, progressive Francesca Hong, endorsed by the Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America, is the frontrunner for the gubernatorial nomination, facing moderate Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. In Minnesota, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan faces centrist Rep. Angie Craig for the Senate nomination to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is heavily favored to win the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and face a Republican field including MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. The primaries follow a progressive upset in Michigan and reflect broader party divisions after 2024 losses.