Socialist speed bump in Wisconsin, but left sweeps other key races

In Tuesday's primary elections across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Connecticut, progressive candidates achieved major victories in three of four high-profile races testing the anti-establishment left's influence within the Democratic Party.

In Wisconsin's gubernatorial primary, Democratic Socialists of America-affiliated candidate Francesca Hong lost to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the race's most closely watched contest. Hong had drawn criticism from leading Democrats over her record of comments attacking Thanksgiving, support for defunding the police, and her embrace of the DSA's radical platform. Though initial polling showed her with a substantial lead, her support eroded as Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and other Democratic officials warned that her nomination could jeopardize the party's chances in the general election. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) declined to endorse Hong's campaign.

The outcome contrasted with Democratic Party dynamics in Michigan, where party leaders took a more measured approach to stopping far-left candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) declined to support Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), despite their similar political backgrounds, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's late endorsement of Stevens lacked the direct attacks on electability that Evers had directed toward Hong.

Progressive candidates dominated elsewhere. In Minnesota's Senate race, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, one of the state's most progressive statewide officials and a vocal Israel critic, defeated moderate Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) by nearly 20 points. In Minnesota's suburban Minneapolis House district, former state Sen. Matt Little easily won the primary, outpacing pro-Israel state Sen. Matt Klein.

In Connecticut, Rep. John Larson (D-CT) was defeated by former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, who moved to Larson's left on Israel while positioning himself as the more future-oriented candidate.

On the Republican side, Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) secured 33 percent of the vote in a crowded special election primary, while Rep. Ralph Norman (R-NC) won 25 percent, setting up a runoff later this month for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat.