Primaries in the Upper Midwest on Tuesday will set the stage for two major governor’s races, as Republicans in Wisconsin and Minnesota select their nominees to take on those states’ Democratic incumbents in November.Video above: GOP candidates for Wisconsin governor cast their votesMinnesota is also set to fill a House seat after former GOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn died in February.Meanwhile, in Vermont, Rep. Peter Welch is running to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, which opens up the state’s lone House seat. The state’s lieutenant governor and its Senate president pro tempore — both Democrats — are vying to become the first woman to ever represent Vermont in Congress.Heavily Democratic Connecticut is also holding primaries on Tuesday, with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Gov. Ned Lamont up for reelection this fall.Here’s a rundown of what’s happening in tonight’s primaries. 9 p.m. ETAs polls close in Wisconsin and Minnesota, here’s a look at the key races in both states. In Wisconsin, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch entered the race as the GOP’s heir apparent in a battleground state long dominated by former Gov. Scott Walker. She spent eight years as Walker’s No. 2, and is backed by former Vice President Mike Pence and other establishment Republicans.But then construction company owner Tim Michels entered the race, fueled by millions of dollars of his own wealth and a key endorsement. He is campaigning as an outsider, with the help of former President Donald Trump. The winner of the primary will take on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is seeking a second term in what’s expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive gubernatorial contests this fall.Voters in Southern Minnesota will select a new congressman on Tuesday after Rep. Jim Hagedorn died in February from kidney cancer.The special election, which comes at the same time Minnesota voters will vote in the regular 2022 primary, pits Republican Brad Finstad, the former head of USDA Rural Development for Minnesota, against Democrat Jeffrey Ettinger, who previously worked as CEO of Hormel Foods.The district, which stretches across Minnesota’s entire Southern border, leans toward Republicans. There are other contests worth watching in Minnesota, including well-funded challenges to incumbents. Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is being challenged by former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, while Rep. Betty McCollum is facing a challenge from progressive Amane Badhasso.8:45 p.m. ETBecca Balint has won the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Vermont’s 1st Congressional District.Because Vermont is the only state that has never sent a woman to Congress, Balint could make history if elected in November.8 p.m. ETPhil Scott won the Republican nomination for governor in Vermont primary election and Peter Welch won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Vermont primary election.Polls have also closed in Connecticut. The Associated Press and CNN contributed to this report.

Primaries in the Upper Midwest on Tuesday will set the stage for two major governor’s races, as Republicans in Wisconsin and Minnesota select their nominees to take on those states’ Democratic incumbents in November.

Video above: GOP candidates for Wisconsin governor cast their votes

Minnesota is also set to fill a House seat after former GOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn died in February.

Meanwhile, in Vermont, Rep. Peter Welch is running to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, which opens up the state’s lone House seat. The state’s lieutenant governor and its Senate president pro tempore — both Democrats — are vying to become the first woman to ever represent Vermont in Congress.

Heavily Democratic Connecticut is also holding primaries on Tuesday, with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Gov. Ned Lamont up for reelection this fall.

Here’s a rundown of what’s happening in tonight’s primaries.

9 p.m. ET

As polls close in Wisconsin and Minnesota, here’s a look at the key races in both states.

In Wisconsin, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch entered the race as the GOP’s heir apparent in a battleground state long dominated by former Gov. Scott Walker. She spent eight years as Walker’s No. 2, and is backed by former Vice President Mike Pence and other establishment Republicans.

But then construction company owner Tim Michels entered the race, fueled by millions of dollars of his own wealth and a key endorsement. He is campaigning as an outsider, with the help of former President Donald Trump.

The winner of the primary will take on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is seeking a second term in what’s expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive gubernatorial contests this fall.

Voters in Southern Minnesota will select a new congressman on Tuesday after Rep. Jim Hagedorn died in February from kidney cancer.

The special election, which comes at the same time Minnesota voters will vote in the regular 2022 primary, pits Republican Brad Finstad, the former head of USDA Rural Development for Minnesota, against Democrat Jeffrey Ettinger, who previously worked as CEO of Hormel Foods.

The district, which stretches across Minnesota’s entire Southern border, leans toward Republicans.

There are other contests worth watching in Minnesota, including well-funded challenges to incumbents. Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is being challenged by former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, while Rep. Betty McCollum is facing a challenge from progressive Amane Badhasso.

8:45 p.m. ET

Becca Balint has won the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Vermont’s 1st Congressional District.

Because Vermont is the only state that has never sent a woman to Congress, Balint could make history if elected in November.

8 p.m. ET

Phil Scott won the Republican nomination for governor in Vermont primary election and Peter Welch won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Vermont primary election.

Polls have also closed in Connecticut.

The Associated Press and CNN contributed to this report.



Source link

By admin