Voters in Wisconsin and Minnesota will head to the polls on Tuesday to decide key Democratic primary races that highlight internal divisions over the party's future direction. In Wisconsin, Francesca Hong leads polling for the gubernatorial primary, while in Minnesota, Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are in a close contest for a U.S. Senate seat.
These contests follow the recent primary victory of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. The current election cycle has seen a series of challenges by progressive candidates against those backed by established party leadership. According to the report, the outcomes may indicate the level of influence held by the progressive wing of the party following the 2024 presidential election loss and subsequent legislative disagreements.
In the Minnesota Senate race, Rep. Angie Craig has received support from House Democratic leaders including Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi. Her opponent, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, is endorsed by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as retiring Senator Tina Smith. A recent SurveyUSA poll showed Flanagan narrowly trailing Craig, with approximately 20% of voters still undecided. Flanagan has called for the restructuring of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while Craig is noted for a more moderate voting record, including support for the Laken Riley Act.
In Wisconsin, Francesca Hong, a former chef, is running for governor with the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Hong established an early lead in polling as the field of opponents remained divided. Her primary challenger is Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who entered the race after Mandela Barnes withdrew. Hong has centered her campaign on her working-class background and outsider status.
The scale of this shift is evidenced by recent results in neighboring Michigan, where progressive candidates like Abdul El-Sayed and Will Lawrence recently won their primaries despite opposition from well-funded political action committees. A victory for Hong or Flanagan would solidify a new bloc of progressive leadership in three major Midwestern states. This movement comes at a time of reported frustration among the Democratic base following the 2024 election and the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the current administration.
The immediate impact for voters will be felt in the general election matchups and the subsequent legislative priorities for 2027 and beyond. If progressive candidates continue to win, it sets a precedent for challenging established party figures and may lead to a shift in how the Democratic National Committee and its campaign arms approach future cycles. Voters will see the final results of these contests late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, which will finalize the Democratic tickets for the upcoming general elections in both states.