Primary elections today in six states are testing deep party divisions as voters choose nominees for November’s midterm contests, with competitive races pitting progressives against moderates in the Democratic Party and exposing Republican fissures over Trump’s influence.
Polls opened in Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin on August 11, 2026. The races offer the clearest picture yet of ideological battles reshaping both parties heading into the general election.
In Minnesota, voters are deciding a high-stakes Democratic Senate primary between two distinct wings of the party. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, the progressive candidate, is running against Representative Angie Craig, who represents the party’s centrist establishment. The two differ on healthcare policy—Flanagan backs Medicare for All while Craig supports a public option competing with private insurance—and on foreign policy, with Flanagan speaking more forcefully against the Israeli government. Flanagan has endorsements from Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, while Craig has raised more money and secured backing from centrist donors.
Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary features an even starker ideological clash. State Representative Francesca Hong, a self-described democratic socialist, has shaken up the race with a grassroots campaign featuring dance parties and livestreams. Mainstream Democrats have responded by rallying behind Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who secured an endorsement from outgoing Governor Tony Evers and has raised substantial funds in recent weeks. Democrats worry Hong’s past social media posts calling to defund police and abolish prisons could hurt her in a general election in a state where winning statewide typically depends on moderate and independent voters.
The primary contests reflect a broader pattern in 2026. House incumbents are losing at elevated rates, with 3.2 percent of Republican incumbents defeated in primaries so far—above the 2.7 percent historical average. Democrats have seen 41 state legislative incumbents lose, representing 2.7 percent of those who ran.
Trump’s influence is reshaping Republican contests as well. In Minnesota’s gubernatorial primary, Trump endorsed MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, who has echoed Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election. Lindell faces competition from state House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Army veteran Kendall Qualls, while the state GOP chairman has questioned Lindell’s electability and residency. In Wisconsin, Trump backs Congressman Tom Tiffany for governor. In South Carolina, Trump is backing Darline Graham, sister of Senator Lindsey Graham, in the Senate race, though she faces stiff competition from Congressman Ralph Norman, Russell Fry, former Governor Mark Sanford, and businessman Mark Lynch.
The Minnesota and Wisconsin races are seen as tests of whether progressive energy can overcome the party establishment’s resources and organizational advantage. Both states are key swing battlegrounds in presidential elections, making their primary outcomes significant for November’s midterms and beyond.
Sources
- NPR — Wisconsin and Minnesota primary races, Trump endorsements, and ideological divisions among Democrats
- AP News — August 11, 2026 primary election results and state-by-state coverage
- Ballotpedia — Incumbent primary losses in 2026 and state election data
- PBS Wisconsin — Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary details
- Reuters — Upper Midwest primaries and progressive-moderate dynamics
