The battle for the Democratic Party is raging on, as a Democratic socialist and a moderate candidate went down to the wire in the Wisconsin governor primary. Also, President Trump's GOP endorsement power showed some cracks and another older House Democrat was ousted.
Here are our takeaways.
Left loses a nail biter in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin's Democratic governor primary, Francesca Hong, a left-wing state representative and part-time bartender who had been considered the heavy favorite, narrowly lost to David Crowley, the Milwaukee County Executive. Although opinion polls had suggested Hong would notch an easy victory, Crowley built a tiny lead and the Associated Press declared him the winner Wednesday morning.
The surprise result comes after progressive wins last week in Democratic primaries in Michigan, including Abdul El-Sayed for Senate and Donavan McKinney for a House seat.
Hong's loss could serve to halt progressives' momentum and boost the party's establishment wing. Some Democrats had worried that Hong -- who walked back comments about canceling Thanksgiving -- would be a weak candidate against Republican nominee Rep. Tom Tiffany. Hong didn't receive the endorsement of progressive stars such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.). Crowley got the backing of outgoing two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Trump's endorsement setbacks
The president's endorsements in GOP primaries carry a lot of power, but his support isn't always enough. Last week, Rep. Andy Ogles (R., Tenn.) lost his primary despite Trump's backing, and the president didn't have a perfect night Tuesday either.
In South Carolina, Darline Graham finished first but fell short of a majority, failing to win her Senate primary outright. She instead advances to a runoff with Rep. Ralph Norman later this month. Graham was urged by the president to take over the Senate seat of her late brother, Lindsey Graham.
In Minnesota, the president endorsed 2020 election denier and My Pillow founder Mike Lindell in the GOP governor race. But Lindell lost to Lisa Demuth, the speaker of the state House of Representatives, who is set to face Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the general election. Trump-backed candidate Michael Alfonso, the son-in-law of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, did win his GOP House primary in Wisconsin.
Wins for progressives in Minnesota
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a progressive, defeated centrist Rep. Angie Craig in an ugly Democratic race to fill retiring Sen. Tina Smith's seat that included a clash over a pandemic-era welfare fraud scandal.
In the Democratic fight to fill Craig's House seat, Matt Little, a former state senator, defeated state Rep. Kaela Berg and state Sen. Matt Klein. Little campaigned on Medicare for All and against the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the construction of data centers. Little will go against GOP state Sen. Eric Pratt in the competitive district.
Another older House Democrat is ousted
In Connecticut, Democratic Rep. John B. Larson was defeated by former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. Larson, 78, has served for 14 terms in the House and was criticized by opponents who said it was time for generational change. Larson joins a growing list of older Democratic incumbents who have been unseated in primaries this year, including Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas, Shri Thanedar of Michigan and Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York.
Next week: Alaska, Florida and Wyoming
In Alaska, voters will pick candidates for gubernatorial, House and Senate races next week. The top four candidates will advance to the November general election. In Florida, incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz will face off against Democratic socialist challenger Oliver Larkin in a House primary. Voters in Wyoming will pick from a crowded field of Republican candidates for retiring GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis's open Senate seat in the deep red state.