Midterm Election Battles Take Shape In Wisconsin, Minnesota

Voters in WI and MN went to the polls on Tuesday to choose party nominees for a host of local and state elective offices.
In WI two key races topped the ballot — the Republican primary for U.S. Senate and the Democratic primary for governor. There were primaries too for secretary of state and WI treasurer.
WI State Senator Leah Vukmir defeated political newcomer Kevin Nicholson for the right to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin in the fall.
Meanwhile, Tony Evers emerged from a field of eight Democrats to take on Republican Gov. Scott Walker.
Randy Bryce, a union worker, won the Democratic party’s primary to replace a seat held by Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan for 20 years. He defeated challenger Cathy Meyers.
Bryan Steil, a former Ryan aide, defeated five other challengers with 51.58 percent of the vote to earn the GOP bid as Republicans hope to keep the long-held seat red come November.
In MN, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson defeated former MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty in a surprising upset to secure the GOP’s nomination in the state’s primary race for governor.
Johnson, who was considered an underdog in the primary, will now face Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, who secured the bid on the Democratic side.
Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, who succeeded Sen. Al Franken after he resigned last year following a series of sexual misconduct allegations, defeated a former Republican ethics attorney-turned top critic of President Trump to advance to the fall election.
State Sen. Karin Housley secured the GOP nomination and will face Smith in the fall midterm.
In MN’s other U.S. Senate race, incumbent Amy Klobuchar cruised to victory beating out four Democrats to square off in November with the GOP’s endorsed candidate, state Rep. Jim Newberger.

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