Minnesota primary: Ilhan Omar expected to become first Somali-American in Congress after win in Democrat race

Minnesota also involves a number of races for House seats that should be close in November's midterms

US Primaries: What are the key races as four US sates vote in primary elections?

Minnesota state Representative Ilhan Omar, the nation's first Somali-American legislator, has won a crowded Democratic primary to replace Representative Keith Ellison in Congress.

Ms Omar's victory Tuesday all but ensures she'll set another historic mark as the first Somali-American in Congress. Minnesota's 5th Congressional District includes Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs that tilt heavily Democratic.

Meanwhile, Senator Tina Smith will face off against Minnesota state Senator Karin Housely after both won their primaries in the race to fill Al Franken's seat in the Senate.

Mr Franken resigned earlier in the year amid allegations stemming from the #MeToo movement, leading to the all-women face-off in November.

On Monday, Mr Trump endorsed the Republican frontrunner for the House seat in the 8th district, Pete Stauber. Democrat Rick Nolan retired from the position, leaving a tough five-way primary for the party. Mr Stauber has leaned heavily on a pro-Trump message and will hope it helps him breakthrough in November. Mr Stauber will face former state Representative Joe Radinovich

Elsewhere, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's comeback bid fizzled in the Republican primary for his old job, as voters chose County Commissioner Jeff Johnson to face Democratic Representative Tim Walz in the governor's race.

Mr Walz had been considered a top contender in the three-way primary to replace outgoing Democratic Governor Mark Dayton, despite losing his party's nod in early June. And Mr Johnson was a longshot, given Mr Pawlenty's unparalleled name recognition and fundraising from two terms as governor and a brief presidential campaign in 2012.

The stakes are high for both parties. For Democrats, the governor's office could be their only lever of power if they don't take the state House later this year. Republicans see a chance at seizing complete control of state government in the traditionally blue state.

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[14 August 2018 11:14 · Lucy Anna Gray]

The biggest race as Connecticut residents goes to the polls for Tuesday's primaries is for the governor's office.

There is an open seat, with Democrat Governor Dannel Malloy not seeking re-election; Republicans believe they have a good chance of winning it back after losing control in 2010. Control of the narrowly divided General Assembly is also in play, especially the state Senate, now equally split between Democrats and Republicans.

Democrats would have a lot of advantages in the state, with more registered Democrats than Republicans, and the fact that the entire Congressional delegation is currently Democrat. But Mr Malloy had grown deeply unpopular, offering Republicans a chance.

For the Democrats, businessman Ned Lamont is up against Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim. Mr Ganim previously served as Bridgeport mayor for more than a decade and was able to win re-election to the role in 2015 following a seven-year stint in federal prison for political corruption.

For the GOP, it is David Stemerman, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, the party's endorsed candidate; Tim Herbst; Madison businessman Bob Stefanowski; and Westport tech entrepreneur and former US Navy officer Steve Obsitnik.

[14 August 2018 11:24 · Lucy Anna Gray]

​Progressive candidates in Vermont are running on campaign issues most Democratic elected officials have been hesitant to support, from Medicare-for-all to eliminating college tuition for public schools.

[14 August 2018 11:55 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Rick Scott, Vermont's Republican governor who has seen his popularity slip in recent months, could very well make history in the 2018 midterm elections. A governor seeking reelection in Vermont hasn’t been defeated since 1962.

[14 August 2018 12:21 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Here's a guide on all the key US election dates...

[14 August 2018 12:41 · Lucy Anna Gray]

In Wisconsin, these are the candidates for the governor's race: 

Democratic candidates:

Tony Evans

Matt Flynn

Mike McCabe

Mahlon Mitchell

Josh Pade

Kelda Roys

Paul Soglin

Kathleen Vinehout

Republican candidate:

Robert Meyers

[14 August 2018 13:08 · Lucy Anna Gray]

In the Wisconsin's First Congressional District, Democrats are vying to take Paul Ryan’s seat, with candidates Randy Bryce and Cathy Myers are in bitter primary battle.

[14 August 2018 13:28 · Lucy Anna Gray]

The candidates in Wisconsin are...

Democratic candidates:

Randy Bryce - populist ironworker and union organiser

Cathy Myers- school board member and teacher

Republican candidates:

Bryan Steil - local business executive with the endorsement of Paul Ryan

Paul Nehlen - self-described “pro-White Christian American candidate”

Nick Polce - Army green beret...first-time candidate

Jeremy Ryan (pro-marijuana)

Kevin Steen - Christian business leader

[14 August 2018 13:43 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Last night Donald Trump posted a message of support for Pete Stauber, who is running for Congress in Minnesota.

The president said: 

[14 August 2018 14:14 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Ethan Sonneborn is one of four Democratic candidates for governor in Vermont. He’s a 14-year-old progressive who decided to launch his campaign after violence erupted last year during a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, North Carolina. State law allows anyone who has lived in Vermont for four years to run for governor after securing enough signatures to get on the ballot, making Mr Sonneborn legally qualified despite his age.

[14 August 2018 14:29 · Steve Anderson]

Democrat Ned Lamont, a business executive, who is running against Joe Ganim, mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut in the Connecticut primary race for governor, has cast his vote early Tuesday morning. 

He said he wants to make sure the people of Connecticut knows he "represents real change".