Democrats Split Verdict Across Six-State Primary Night
Moderate David Crowley narrowly beat democratic socialist Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's Democratic governor primary Tuesday, one of several results across six states that set marquee races for November's midterms.
The Morning Brief Desk · August 12, 2026 · Based on reporting by NPR News
Voters in six states — Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut, Vermont, South Carolina and Alabama — cast primary ballots Tuesday, producing a mixed night for both parties' competing factions ahead of the November midterms.
The closest-watched contest came in Wisconsin, where Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a moderate, narrowly defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. The result halted a nationwide winning streak for progressive candidates, according to The Hill and Axios. Hong, a former chef and single parent, told supporters before the race was called that "we are ready to keep fighting," per Fox News. Crowley consolidated support from mainstream Democrats and had the backing of retiring Gov. Tony Evers.
Progressives fared better in Minnesota, where Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic Senate nomination by 20 points over Rep. Angie Craig. Fox News characterized the outcome as a second straight week in which the progressive wing won a high-stakes Senate primary over the establishment, describing it as a setback for Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. On the Republican side in Minnesota, Trump-backed Mike Lindell lost the governor primary to Lisa Demuth. Voters also ousted 14-term Democratic Rep. John Larson, and South Carolina's Republican Senate special primary went to a runoff between Graham and Norman.
The context
Tuesday's primaries unfolded amid an ongoing fight over the ideological direction of the Democratic Party. Fox News framed the Wisconsin governor race as the biggest ballot-box confrontation yet between the party's far left and its center, and it ended with a narrow win for the establishment candidate. Before Tuesday, progressive candidates had been on a nationwide winning streak, which Crowley's victory broke, according to Axios. Fox News also reported that a Democratic group has launched a $15 million campaign against democratic socialist candidates. In Wisconsin, the general election will decide who succeeds Evers, a Democrat who chose not to seek a third term. On the Republican side, Trump's endorsement record was mixed: Rep. Tom Tiffany, whom Trump backed, easily won Wisconsin's GOP gubernatorial nomination, while Trump-endorsed Lindell lost in Minnesota.
Why it matters
The results directly set several of November's battleground contests, including a Wisconsin governor's race between Crowley and Tiffany, a hard-right House Freedom Caucus member. They also offer a snapshot of intraparty conflict on both sides: NPR reported the outcomes highlight ongoing divisions within each party heading into the midterms. Democrats split between moderate and progressive nominees depending on the state, while Trump's endorsed candidates won some races and lost others. Larson's defeat after 14 terms adds to what Fox News called a generational showdown among Democrats, and Flanagan's win registered as another setback for Schumer, per that outlet.
What’s next
South Carolina's Republican Senate special primary moves to a runoff between Graham and Norman; the material does not specify a date. In Wisconsin, Crowley and Tiffany advance to a November general election to succeed Evers. Flanagan carries Minnesota's Democratic Senate nomination into the fall against a Republican opponent not named in the material. How both parties' internal divides play out in remaining primaries will be worth watching.
Sources
NPR News — Four takeaways from Tuesday's primaries in six states
Voters in six states went to the polls Tuesday; results highlight ongoing conflicts within both parties ahead of the November midterms.
The Hill — Crowley defeats Hong in nail-biter Wisconsin governor primary: 5 takeaways
Moderate Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, halting a progressive winning streak.
Fox News Politics — Primary takeaways: Dems' left-center battle intensifies as Schumer takes another hit; split decision for Trump
Progressive Peggy Flanagan won Minnesota's Senate nomination by 20 points over Rep. Angie Craig, while Trump-backed Mike Lindell lost the GOP governor primary to Lisa Demuth.
Axios — Moderate Crowley narrowly beats democratic socialist Hong in Wisconsin
Crowley's upset win breaks a nationwide progressive streak; South Carolina's GOP Senate special primary heads to a Graham-Norman runoff.
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