Recap of Tuesday Primaries in Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin

August 15, 2018

Before we dive into this week's primaries, an update from last week. On Tuesday, Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer conceded the GOP primary to Secretary of State Kris Kobach. This sets up a general election race between Kobach, Democrat Laura Kelly and independent Greg Orman. Colyer is the first governor to lose a bid for renomination this year.

Four states held primaries on Tuesday. All results can be found via the links above. A recap of each primary follows.

Minnesota

In the race to replace retiring Gov. Mark Dayton, limited polling hinted at one outcome, but the voters went in a different direction. Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty lost the GOP primary to County Commissioner Jeff Johnson. Pawlenty has been a critic of President Trump, a positioning that has not worked out well for many Republicans in primaries thus far in 2018. On the Democratic side, Rep. Tim Walz (MN-01) won a three-way race against Erin Murphy and Lori Swanson. Rep. Rick Nolan (MN-08) ran as Swanson's running mate. He becomes the 7th current member of the House to lose an election for another office in 2018. This result shifts the general election outlook slightly in the Democrats favor.

No surprises in the Senate primaries, as incumbent Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith easily won their races. They are both likely to hold their seats in November.

Rep. Keith Ellison won his primary to become Minnesota's Attorney General, overcoming - for now - recent allegations of domestic violence. Ilhan Omar won the Democratic primary in Ellison's 5th district, and should coast to victory in this deep blue district. Omar will become the first Somali American elected to Congress.

All Minnesota Primary Election Results

Wisconsin

Gov. Scott Walker was easily renominated for a third term. He'll meet the state's education chief, Democrat Tony Evers in November. Evers emerged from a field of eight candidates to win the nomination. The general election should be highly competitive.

State Sen. Leah Vukmir got by Kevin Nicholson for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination. She will face Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in November. Baldwin is favored to win a 2nd term.

Speaker Paul Ryan endorsed his former aide, Bryan Steil to replace him in the state's first congressional district. Steil easily won the GOP primary. He'll meet Randy Bryce, aka 'Iron Stache' who defeated Cathy Myers for the Democratic nomination.

All Wisconsin Primary Election Results

Connecticut

Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski won their respective party nominations to replace termed-out Gov. Dannel Malloy. Stefanowski's win was a bit of an upset, as he bested the party-endorsed candidate, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton.

Matthew Corey won the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. He faces long odds against incumbent Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy.

All Connecticut Primary Election Results

Vermont

Gov. Phil Scott was renominated, fending off a challenge from the right that arose after Scott signed gun control legislation earlier this year. On the Democratic side, Christine Hallquist was victorious; she will attempt to become the first transgender governor in U.S. history. Scott is strongly favored to win a 2nd two-year term.

Sen. Bernie Sanders easily won the Democratic nomination, which he is expected to decline to run as an independent. Separately, Sanders told Stephen Colbert on Tuesday that he had not ruled out another presidential bid in 2020. The Republican nomination was not decided as of this writing, but it is of little consequence as Sanders is an overwhelming favorite to win a third term this fall.

All Vermont Primary Election Results