Key races in Wisconsin and Minnesota are set for Tuesday as Democratic primary voters choose between progressive and centrist candidates in a high-stakes showdown.
In Wisconsin, Francesca Hong, a state representative and democratic socialist endorsed by the Milwaukee chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, leads the field for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. In Minnesota, progressive Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan faces off against centrist U.S. Representative Angie Craig. Senator Amy Klobuchar is overwhelmingly favored to secure the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in Minnesota, setting up a general election contest against the Republican primary winner, which includes MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and state Representative Lisa Demuth.
On August 2, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong addressed a campaign rally. The state lawmaker and democratic socialist has seen steady gains in recent polling. Following the Democratic Party's significant losses in the 2024 general election, the party is grappling with whether to move further left or shift toward the center. Tuesday's primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota will feature a fresh round of clashes between progressive and moderate factions.
In recent months, populist progressives have capitalized on public dissatisfaction with the economy, defeating Democratic establishment candidates in several areas across the country, potentially triggering a major internal party shakeup. In last week's Michigan primary, progressive former health official Abdul El-Sayed defeated establishment-backed moderate U.S. Representative Haley Stevens for the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, marking another stunning upset for the party's old guard.
A wave of progressive candidates modeled after New York City Mayor Zoran Madani and independent Senator Bernie Sanders will face a major test on Tuesday. They are competing for gubernatorial and Senate nominations in Wisconsin and Minnesota against moderate politicians backed by the establishment.
Wisconsin District
In the Wisconsin gubernatorial race, Francesca Hong holds a commanding lead in the polls, making her the pre-election favorite. Recent surveys show her with double-digit support, and she has the endorsement of the Milwaukee chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, firmly placing her in the progressive camp. She has also received backing from prominent Democrats such as California U.S. Representative Ro Khanna and Minnesota U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar. Hong has faced scrutiny for past comments, including calls to abolish Thanksgiving and defund the police, which she has since distanced herself from. Her main opponent is the more moderate Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is endorsed by retiring Democratic Governor Tony Evers. Crowley initially dropped out of the race before re-entering. Many Democrats fear Hong's positions are too radical to win a general election in this swing state, leading them to rally behind Crowley. Hong's campaign platform includes universal child care, public grocery stores, a public health insurance option, and a public bank, alongside raising taxes on the wealthy in Wisconsin to expand public services.
The Democratic primary winner is likely to face Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany in the general election. Tiffany has served in the House since 2020, representing northern Wisconsin, and is a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus. He advocates for freezing property taxes, repealing other tax increases, and expanding energy production. Republicans have seized on the rise of progressives within the Democratic Party, labeling the left wing as "communists," though no top Democratic candidates in this year's key primaries are running on communist policies.
Minnesota District
The Minnesota Senate primary is a heated contest between progressive Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and moderate U.S. Representative Angie Craig, both vying for the nomination to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Tina Smith.
On August 8, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Senate Democratic candidate and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan spoke at a volunteer appreciation event. Flanagan is competing with Representative Angie Craig for the Democratic nomination in Tuesday's primary. As Minnesota's second-ranking official under outgoing Governor Tim Walz, Flanagan runs on a progressive platform, earning endorsements from Tina Smith, Bernie Sanders, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, as well as the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, the state's official Democratic organization. However, unlike Francesca Hong, she does not have the support of the Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. She champions "Medicare for All," calls for abolishing the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and advocates halting offensive weapons sales to Israel. The Israel policy stance has become a flashpoint in Democratic primaries. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Gaza war, many left-wing activists have criticized Israeli military actions. Flanagan has labeled Israel's actions as "genocide." Flanagan is also controversial due to her close ties to the Walz administration, which was embroiled in a massive social welfare fraud scandal that led to Walz abandoning his re-election bid and dropping out of the 2024 vice presidential race. Flanagan expressed regret that the government did not act sooner but defends the administration's subsequent handling and anti-fraud efforts. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump and his Republican allies used fraud-related allegations from years ago to tighten immigration enforcement and suspend some Medicaid funding for Minnesota. Craig stated in a debate, "If you become the nominee, the Republican Party will use this scandal to attack you heavily."
On August 9, 2026, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Senate Democratic candidate Angie Craig interacted with supporters at a campaign event. Craig is competing with Peggy Flanagan for the Democratic nomination in the August 11 primary. A moderate, Craig won her congressional seat from a Republican in 2018. In the current Congress, she was elevated to the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, surpassing more senior members. She argues that her experience winning in a swing district makes her a stronger general election candidate against Republicans. Craig has endorsements from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Craig does not support the Medicare for All bill but has proposed legislation to create a government-run public health insurance option, described as "Medicare for all who want it." She maintains a traditional pro-Israel alliance stance, voting against an amendment to cut U.S. aid to Israel last month while expressing dissatisfaction with the current Israeli leadership. However, Craig has faced criticism from within the party for being the only Minnesota Democrat to vote for the Laken Riley Act. This bill requires Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants arrested, charged, or convicted of crimes such as burglary, theft, shoplifting, assaulting a police officer, or any offense causing death or serious bodily injury. Immigration enforcement has become a central issue in Minnesota after federal agents killed two U.S. citizens during an immigration sweep earlier this year. Craig later revised her position, expressing regret in an opinion piece for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and calling the vote a "mistake" in a debate last month. Flanagan has seized on this voting record to attack her opponent, stating in a debate, "Within three days of the second Trump administration, she voted for Trump's immigration bill. That bill has created fear in communities, causing casualties, economic damage, and lasting trauma, with horrific consequences."
The Democratic primary winner on Tuesday is expected to face former sports host and Republican candidate Michelle Tafoya in the general election, with polls showing Tafoya with a significant lead. Minnesota also holds a gubernatorial primary on the same day, determining who will challenge Senator Amy Klobuchar in the general election. The Republican field includes MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and state Representative Lisa Demuth.