Democratic voters in Wisconsin and Minnesota will choose nominees Tuesday in statewide primaries that have become tests of the party’s progressive and establishment wings. Outgoing Gov. Tony Evers endorsed Crowley in the contest to succeed him. Minnesota’s Senate primary matches U.S. Rep. Angie Craig against Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
The winner will compete for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tina Smith. Gov. Tim Walz did not endorse in that race, while his wife, Gwen Walz, backed Craig. Outside groups spent substantially in Minnesota, with Craig receiving more outside support.
Primary candidates have differed on health care, immigration, campaign finance, Israel and which profile can win a general election. An endorsement signals preference and organizational support but does not establish voter intent. Outside spending measures campaign intervention, not the effect of individual advertisements. Wisconsin Democrats are also considering how a gubernatorial nominee would operate in a state with close statewide margins and contested legislative power. Minnesota Democrats are weighing ideological representation against arguments about general-election risk.
The contests follow Abdul El-Sayed’s narrow progressive win in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. Minnesota has not elected a Republican statewide since 2006, while Wisconsin remains closely divided. Primary turnout is usually smaller and compositionally different from November participation. The first reliable measure will be completed vote counts by geography and voting method. Pre-election interviews and spending totals describe the campaign environment but cannot substitute for certified results.
The reporting available at the edition deadline did not resolve this point: voting had not begun, and no poll or spending report could determine the result. The next dated records are certified Tuesday results and whether losing candidates and allied groups consolidate behind the winners.