Minnesota, Wisconsin primaries to show progressive-DFL establishment clash

Progressive candidates for governor in Wisconsin and U.S. Senate in Minnesota are making their final pushes ahead of Tuesday's election.

• Aug 10

Mandela Barnes drops out of Wisconsin governor's race

Barnes withdrew from the Democratic primary less than two weeks before the Aug. 11 election, on the same day a newspaper reported it had asked him about allegations of inappropriate behavior reviewed by the state party.

• Jul 31

Wisconsin Dems fear primary chaos could cost governor's race

Hong's rise in the Wisconsin Democratic primary has exposed a sharp divide, with some voters saying they would cross party lines in November rather than support a DSA-aligned candidate.

• Jul 29

Early voting begins in Wisconsin's 5-way Democratic governor primary

In-person absentee voting began Tuesday in Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor, the same day a judge was set to hear arguments on whether voters who already returned mail ballots should be allowed to cancel and recast them.

• Jul 28

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. drops governor's bid over campaign finance problems

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ended her Democratic primary campaign for Wisconsin governor Friday, citing financial problems she said would distract from an election Democrats need to win.

• Jul 17

Joel Brennan, former Evers aide, jumps into 2026 Wisconsin governor race

Joel Brennan, a former top official in Gov. Tony Evers' administration, announced Thursday that he is running to succeed the two-term Democrat, joining a crowded primary field for the 2026 election.

• Dec 11, 2025

Mandela Barnes, former Senate candidate, enters Wis. governor's race

A Democrat who served four years as Wisconsin's lieutenant governor and narrowly lost a 2022 U.S. Senate bid is running for governor in the battleground state.

• Dec 2, 2025

Wisconsin Secretary of State mulls lieutenant governor bid

Wisconsin's Democratic Secretary of State, Sarah Godlewski, is not planning to run for governor or a full term in her current role.

• Jul 28, 2025

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez enters Wis. governor race calling Trump "maniac"

Wisconsin Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez entered the battleground state's open race for governor on Friday by calling President Donald Trump a "maniac" and claiming, "His tariffs are killing our farmers and his policies are hurting our kids."

• Jul 25, 2025

Judge says Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers can be questioned in Trump fake electors lawsuit

A judge has ruled that Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers can be asked questions related to his role serving as a Democratic elector in the 2020 presidential election as part of an ongoing lawsuit against former President Donald Trump's attorneys.

• Jan 25, 2024

Wisconsin Senate race: Ron Johnson projected winner over Mandela Barnes

Johnson got a boost from voters' concerns about crime and economic issues, while Barnes had strong support from voters who saw abortion as a top issue.

• Nov 9, 2022