Pragmatic Voters Upset Polls, Toppling Hong and Lindell in Midwest Primaries
Voters in Wisconsin and Minnesota rejected the projected frontrunners, with Francesca Hong and Mike Lindell both losing their primary contests.
Ahead of the August 11 primaries, forecasts suggested socialist Francesca Hong would clinch the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin governor and that former pillow entrepreneur Mike Lindell would secure the Republican nomination for Minnesota governor after receiving Donald Trump’s endorsement. In the actual vote, both candidates fell short: anti-Hong Democrats rallied behind Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who edged Hong by a fraction of a point despite low poll numbers, and Minnesota Republicans favored House Speaker Lisa Demuth, pairing her with former sportscaster Michele Tafoya. These results illustrate a pragmatic turn away from extreme candidates, improving each party’s chances in the forthcoming general elections.
Why it matters
The upsets show moderate candidates can beat polarizing figures, reshaping electoral dynamics in key Midwestern states.
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