Voters in South Carolina, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Alabama are choosing nominees Tuesday in contests that will shape November’s midterms, including battles over Democratic socialism, two open Senate seats and a special Republican primary following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Voters across several states are casting primary ballots Tuesday in races that could influence control of Congress, determine successors to retiring governors and senators and provide another measure of the growing divide between traditional Democrats and the party’s socialist wing.
Some of the most closely watched Aug. 11 contests are unfolding in South Carolina, Wisconsin and Minnesota, while Alabama is holding delayed congressional primaries after adopting a new district map.
In South Carolina, Republicans are choosing among 10 candidates seeking the Senate seat previously held by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who died July 11 from a suspected aortic rupture after winning his June 9 primary.
Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, was appointed to serve the remainder of his term through Jan. 3, 2027, and is now campaigning for a full six-year term with President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
She faces a crowded Republican field that includes Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry and former Rep. Mark Sanford.
Darline Graham does not list a policy platform on her campaign website and has instead emphasized the experience she has accumulated in state government and during her brief period in Washington.
“Trust me, I have learned a lot already, so I think I have experience,” she told reporters.
During her short Senate tenure, Graham introduced legislation imposing sanctions on Russia and Iran. The measure, named in honor of her brother, passed the Senate on Aug. 7.
Norman and Fry are campaigning on platforms that include strengthening border security, reducing living costs, protecting Second Amendment rights and confronting China.
Sanford has centered his campaign on the national debt and federal spending.
If none of the 10 Republicans receives a majority Tuesday, the top two candidates will advance to an Aug. 25 runoff. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democratic physician Annie Andrews in November.
Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, meanwhile, is emerging as a prominent test of the Democratic Socialists of America’s electoral strength.
State Assemblymember Francesca Hong, a DSA member, enters Election Day as the Democratic frontrunner, with one poll showing her leading the field by 22 percentage points.
Hong is competing against state Sen. Kelda Roys, former state Assemblymember Brett Hulsey, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and former Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan.
Her campaign platform calls for supporting child care providers, lowering health care costs, strengthening protections for renters, eliminating tax loopholes and legalizing cannabis.
Hong has also faced criticism over previous social media statements, including a post calling for Thanksgiving to be canceled.
The Wisconsin contest comes amid broader tensions between the Democratic Party’s establishment and socialist activists who have achieved a series of primary victories around the country during the 2026 election cycle.
Republicans have a considerably less competitive gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin.
Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., is expected to defeat limited opposition after receiving Trump’s endorsement. Tiffany is campaigning on reducing costs, supporting farmers, expanding employment and pursuing public safety policies.
The eventual winner in November will replace Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who chose not to seek a third term.
Minnesota voters are deciding competitive races for both governor and U.S. Senate.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is competing against six other candidates for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and is expected to prevail based in part on her statewide name recognition.
The Republican field includes businessman Mike Lindell, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, health care technology executive Kendall Qualls and four additional candidates.
Trump has endorsed Lindell, who held a six-point polling advantage over Demuth heading into the primary.
Lindell has campaigned on a “Buy Minnesota” initiative, economic growth, reduced regulations on farmers, environmental protection, election security and lower taxes and fees.
Klobuchar’s agenda includes reducing costs, increasing government accountability, combating fraud and expanding Minnesota’s rural and agricultural economy.
The next governor will succeed Democrat Tim Walz, who declined to seek reelection after facing criticism involving welfare fraud schemes in the state.
Minnesota’s open Senate race is also producing competitive primaries.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., are competing for the Democratic nomination, with one poll placing Craig two percentage points ahead.
Both candidates are campaigning on fighting corruption in Washington and policies intended to help the middle class.
On the Republican side, Michele Tafoya leads a field that includes former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, former NBA player Royce White and six other candidates.
Schwarze received the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement, but polling showed Tafoya holding a substantial advantage, leading White by 35 percentage points while Schwarze registered 5% support.
Tafoya’s campaign has emphasized fighting fraud, including fraud involving immigrants, strengthening law and order and reducing taxes and costs for middle-class residents.
The eventual Senate winner will succeed Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., who decided not to seek reelection.
Alabama voters are also going to the polls Tuesday after the state’s congressional primaries were postponed from May 19 because of a newly implemented congressional map.
The map followed a Supreme Court ruling that limited the use of racial considerations in congressional redistricting.
Among Alabama’s races, particular attention is focused on the 2nd Congressional District, where six Republicans are seeking the nomination to challenge Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures.
The GOP field includes state Rep. Rhett Marques, Army veteran Joshua McKee and real estate broker Hampton Harris.
Trump has endorsed Marques, whose campaign priorities include lowering costs for Alabama families, expanding the economy, supporting veterans, securing the border, strengthening rural communities, backing Israel and protecting Second Amendment rights.
The results across Tuesday’s primaries will establish several of the matchups voters see in November, with Republicans seeking to maintain Senate control and Democratic primary contests continuing to test the influence of the party’s socialist wing.
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