Six-state primaries reveal ongoing conflicts in both parties
Primary elections across six states Tuesday produced results that reveal ongoing conflicts in both parties ahead of the November midterms, according to NPR.
In Democratic races, voters in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Connecticut leaned toward younger, more progressive candidates who oppose Trump’s immigration policies. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won her U.S. Senate primary over a centrist opponent, securing the Democratic nomination in that race.
In Wisconsin, the gubernatorial primary saw a closer contest. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, for the Democratic nomination.
On the Republican side, Trump-endorsed candidates faced inconsistent outcomes. Sen. Darline Graham secured enough support to advance to a runoff election for her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat, according to NPR. But MyPillow founder Mike Lindell lost his primary for governor of Minnesota despite the president’s support.
The mixed results for Trump-backed candidates came amid low approval ratings for the president, according to NPR. The primary outcomes in all six states pointed to continuing intra-party tensions ahead of the November midterms.
Source: NPR, “Up First newsletter,” August 12, 2026.