Six states hold primary elections
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - With the midterm elections less than three months, six states headed to the polls Tuesday in primaries to whittle down candidates.
For Democrats, the party's ideological divide is on display with an upset in Wisconsin, while in South Carolina, President Donald Trump's influence was put to the test with his backing for Darline Graham, who is now heading for a runoff to succeed her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
There is an upset Wednesday morning in the closely-watched race for Wisconsin governor, with NBC News projecting David Crowley narrowly defeated Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary.
Crowley has the backing of the party's establishment wing, and argued Hong's positions are too extreme on issues like calling to abolish police, something she says she no longer supports.
"We're going to need someone who can build the necessary coalitions and speak, speak to unity, not necessarily division," Crowley said.
Crowley will now take on Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in November.
The debate over Democratic divisions also played out in the senate primary in Minnesota, where moderate incumbent Rep. Angie Craig fell to progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
"We can insist on change, and send someone who will always put Minnesota first," Lt. Gov. Flanagan remarked.
While on the Republican side, in South Carolina, Sen. Darline Graham is heading for a runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) in the special election to replace her late brother, Sen. Graham.
Graham was appointed to hold the seat temporarily, with President Trump backing her in her brother's honor.
"He actually said she is better than him. That was hard for Lindsey to say," Trump expressed.
Meanwhile, Rep. Norman is drawing attention to her lack of experience.
"I don't know where she stands on a lot of issues," Norman said.
In Connecticut, 14-term incumbent Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) lost his Democratic primary to the former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, who is three decades younger and campaigned on the need for generational change in Congress, part of a broader push among Democrats.
