Democrats select Crowley, Flanagan as Republicans back Demuth in key state races
Democratic socialist Francesca Hong and moderate David Crowley are locked in an extraordinarily tight contest for Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial nomination, while Minnesota voters selected progressive Peggy Flanagan for the US Senate and Republican Lisa Demuth for governor.
With 80 per cent of the votes counted in Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley held a narrow lead of just a few hundred votes over Hong. The outcome remains too close to call in a race widely seen as a major test of progressive policy appeal in a crucial battleground state.
Hong, a state representative and former chef, ran on a platform advocating for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a temporary moratorium on data centres, and increased corporate taxes.
Her campaign faced late scrutiny over past social media posts concerning Thanksgiving, which she subsequently clarified.
The victor of the Democratic primary will face Republican nominee US Representative Tom Tiffany in November.
In Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, Democrats selected Rebecca Cooke to challenge Trump-aligned Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden. Cooke, a former small business owner and waitress who has out-fundraised Van Orden, secured backing from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” programme.
Across the state line in Minnesota, Democratic voters chose Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan as their US Senate nominee over moderate Representative Angie Craig. Flanagan, who campaigned on dismantling ICE, will seek the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Tina Smith.
In Minnesota’s Republican gubernatorial primary, State House Speaker Lisa Demuth secured the nomination, defeating former MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell despite his high-profile endorsement from Donald Trump. Demuth now advances to challenge Democratic nominee Senator Amy Klobuchar in the general election.