Aug 12, 2026 · 19 min
Primaries test Trump’s influence and parties’ appetite for change
Voters sent mixed messages in Tuesday's primaries
The results reveal how voters are balancing moderation, progressivism, immigration, generational change, and loyalty to Donald Trump across four states.
- 1Democrats split between moderate and progressive candidates while immigration and generational change reshaped several contests.
- 2Michelle Tafoya and Lisa Demuth showed Republican nominees can defy party expectations and Donald Trump’s preferred candidates.
- 3Trump-backed Darlene Graham advanced in South Carolina but fell short of avoiding a runoff against Ralph Norman.
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The brief
Across Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Connecticut, primary voters delivered mixed signals on moderation, progressivism, immigration, generational change, and Donald Trump’s influence.
Wisconsin Democrats chose David Crowley over Francesca Hong, setting up a general-election contest with Republican Tom Tiffany after a closely watched progressive-versus-moderate fight.
Minnesota produced contrasting outcomes: progressive Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic Senate nomination, while Michelle Tafoya emerged as a relatively moderate Republican alternative.
Donald Trump’s endorsement could not carry Mike Lindell in Minnesota, and his preferred South Carolina Senate candidate Darlene Graham advanced only to a runoff.
Clay Masters helps place the results in a broader pattern, as Luke Bronin’s defeat of John Larson underscores Democratic voters’ interest in generational change.
Taken together, the contests show parties testing different routes to victory rather than converging on one national mood or ideological formula.
Clay Masters
Deepa Shivaram
Tamara Keith
Donald John Trump
Amy Klobuchar
Tom Tiffany
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