Key facts
- Minnesota and Wisconsin gubernatorial primaries are set to test the influence of progressive politics and Donald Trump's endorsement.
- Mike Lindell, a Trump ally and proponent of election conspiracy theories, is seeking the Republican nomination in Minnesota.
- Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, is running for the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin, advocating for policies like abolishing ICE.
- Recent polling suggests Democratic voters are increasingly favoring candidates with more left-leaning platforms.
- In Minnesota, a competitive Democratic Senate primary features Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Representative Angie Craig.
- The primaries will indicate the electability of candidates on the ideological fringes of both major parties.
Primaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin on Tuesday will serve as a gauge for the strength of progressive movements within the Democratic party and the continued influence of President Donald Trump's endorsements within the Republican party.
In Minnesota, former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a vocal supporter of Trump and promoter of false claims about the 2020 election, is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination. He faces competition from other Republicans, including Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls. Lindell has stated his belief that he can appeal to Democratic voters and has secured Trump's endorsement.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin's Democratic primary features Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, who is running for governor. Polls suggest she may be leading David Crowley, the choice of incumbent Governor Tony Evers. Hong's platform includes policies such as abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and increasing taxes on the wealthy. She has recently addressed criticism regarding past social media posts about holidays.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that a significant majority of liberal Democrats believe it is essential for their party's candidates to support higher taxes on corporations and billionaires, expanded abortion access, and universal healthcare. However, unlike some other progressive figures, Hong has not secured endorsements from prominent progressive leaders like Senator Bernie Sanders or Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In Minnesota's Democratic Senate race, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Representative Angie Craig are competing for the seat that will be vacated by Senator Tina Smith in early 2025. Craig, considered more moderate, has a voting record that sometimes aligns with Republicans, while Flanagan has expressed a desire to dismantle ICE.