Big Wins, Major Upsets And A Trump Setback. Here’s What Happened In Tuesday’s Primaries.

Tuesday’s primary elections delivered major wins, unexpected defeats and a few political surprises as voters across several states chose candidates for closely watched races ahead of the November midterms.

In Wisconsin, David Crowley pulled off an upset in the Democratic race for governor, defeating democratic socialist Francesca Hong after a chaotic campaign. Minnesota delivered a major victory for progressives as Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic Senate primary, while Trump-backed Mike Lindell lost the Republican race for governor.

Meanwhile, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin ousted a longtime Democratic congressman in Connecticut, and South Carolina’s special Republican Senate primary is heading to a runoff.

Here are some of the biggest results from Tuesday.

David Crowley Pulls Off Wisconsin Upset

One of the night’s biggest surprises took place in Wisconsin, where Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

Crowley’s victory capped a remarkable turnaround. He had dropped out of the race last month before jumping back in after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez withdrew. Crowley subsequently secured the endorsement of outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Hong, a democratic socialist, had surged in the final stretch of the campaign and appeared well-positioned to win. But Crowley ultimately prevailed in an extremely close contest.

PBS Wisconsin, citing the Associated Press, reported that Crowley won the Democratic nomination in a photo finish, defeating Hong and setting up a November showdown with Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany. Tiffany, who has Trump’s endorsement, won the Republican nomination.

Crowley’s victory was particularly striking given expectations heading into Election Day. Wisconsin Public Radio reported that Crowley’s win completed a “shocking comeback” after he had briefly left the contest and later returned to the race.

The result interrupted the momentum enjoyed by democratic socialist candidates in several Democratic primaries this year and showed that more moderate candidates remain capable of winning high-profile contests.

Peggy Flanagan Scores Big Progressive Win In Minnesota

If Wisconsin disappointed progressives, Minnesota gave them plenty to celebrate.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan defeated Rep. Angie Craig in the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat, handing the party’s progressive wing another significant victory.

Flanagan had the backing of prominent progressives including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, while Craig represented the more moderate side of the contest.

The Guardian reported that Flanagan decisively defeated Craig in a race that had become a major test of the strength of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing in Minnesota.

Flanagan will face Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NBC “Sunday Night Football” sideline reporter, in November.

The race could become another test of whether progressive primary victories can translate into general-election success. Republicans are expected to target Flanagan over the welfare-fraud scandal that rocked Minnesota while she served as lieutenant governor.

Still, Minnesota has proved difficult territory for Republican Senate candidates. No Republican has won a U.S. Senate seat in the state since 2002.

Progressives also picked up another victory when Matt Little won the Democratic primary for the House seat Craig is leaving behind.

Trump-Backed Mike Lindell Loses Minnesota Governor Primary

Minnesota also delivered one of the biggest Republican results of the night, and a setback for Trump.

State House Speaker Lisa Demuth defeated MyPillow founder Mike Lindell in the Republican gubernatorial primary despite Lindell receiving the president’s endorsement.

Lindell has been one of Trump’s most vocal political allies and became nationally known for backing the president’s efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election.

But Trump’s endorsement was not enough to carry him through the primary.

The Washington Post’s election results showed Demuth defeating Lindell for the Republican nomination, setting up a November contest against Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Lindell’s loss adds to a mixed record for Trump’s endorsements during the 2026 primary season. Trump-backed candidates have prevailed in numerous contests, but several of his picks have also suffered high-profile defeats.

That included Rep. Andy Ogles in Tennessee, who lost his Republican primary last week. Trump had initially backed Ogles before switching his endorsement to challenger Charlie Hatcher shortly before the election.

Another Longtime Democrat Falls In Connecticut

Connecticut produced another striking result as former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin defeated Rep. John Larson in the Democratic primary for the state’s 1st Congressional District.

Larson, 78, has represented the district for nearly three decades, making his defeat another example of Democratic voters turning away from longtime incumbents in favor of younger challengers.

Bronin, 47, focused his campaign on the need for new leadership, emphasizing “energy, urgency and change” and urging Larson to “pass the torch.”

The Connecticut Mirror reported that Bronin decisively defeated Larson, putting the former Hartford mayor in a commanding position to become the district’s next representative given its strong Democratic lean.

The result continues a broader generational shake-up within the Democratic Party during the 2026 primary season, with several veteran lawmakers losing challenges from younger candidates.

Unlike some of those races, however, the Connecticut contest was not primarily driven by a major ideological divide. Instead, Bronin made generational change and the need for fresh leadership central to his campaign.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont faced a generational challenge of his own but survived it.

The Connecticut Mirror separately reported that Lamont defeated state Rep. Josh Elliott in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, securing the nomination as he seeks a third term.

South Carolina Senate Race Heads To Runoff

South Carolina voters will have to return to the polls later this month to settle the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.

Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman advanced to an Aug. 25 runoff after neither candidate secured the majority required to win the special Republican primary outright.

The unusual election was triggered by the death last month of Sen. Lindsey Graham. His sister, Darline Graham, was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to temporarily fill the seat and is now seeking to keep it.

Graham finished first in Tuesday’s primary with Trump’s endorsement but failed to cross the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff.

The South Carolina Daily Gazette reported that Graham and Norman advanced from the crowded Republican field, with Graham finishing first and Norman securing the second runoff spot.

The Associated Press also projected the contest would advance to a runoff, which South Carolina requires when no candidate receives more than half of the primary vote.

Norman’s presence in the runoff could provide another test of Trump’s influence over Republican voters. The congressman backed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley over Trump during the 2024 Republican presidential primary.

Trump has endorsed Graham, although he indicated after Tuesday’s vote that he also liked other Republicans who competed in the contest.