High-Profile Primaries Yield Gains for Progressives in Upper Midwest

In a series of significant primaries across the Upper Midwest on Tuesday night, progressive Democrats secured important victories, but one crucial contest remains in Wisconsin.

One standout moment was in Minnesota, where Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by retiring Senator Tina Smith. Flanagan’s win is seen as a strong signal of progressive power, particularly as he defeated Representative Angie Craig in a closely contested match between the progressive and more traditional party factions. Flanagan gained backing from notable leftist figures, while Craig had the support of several establishment Democrats.

In another progressive win, Representative Ilhan Omar triumphed in the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. This victory further cements her position as a prominent member of the House’s progressive wing, marking yet another win despite strong, well-funded attempts to unseat her in the past.

Wisconsin’s Crucial Primary Ahead

The biggest unknown of the night was Wisconsin, where Democratic voters remain uncertain about who will lead the party in the race to fill the governor’s role after Tony Evers steps down. Democratic Socialist state Representative Francesca Hong is looking to keep the progressive momentum alive in a state that’s often viewed as a political battleground.

Hong, a 37-year-old former chef and single mother, has attracted attention and support from well-known progressives like California Representative Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna. Her platform promotes raising Wisconsin’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $20 per hour, implementing guaranteed paid time off, and establishing a one-year freeze on new AI data centers. However, she’s faced criticism for past social media posts advocating for the defunding and abolition of police, a stance she claims she no longer supports.

With most critical races decided on Tuesday, Wisconsin stands out as the ultimate test of whether the progressive left can carry its success into one of the nation’s key battleground states.