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
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Your support makes all the difference.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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Democrat Erin Murphy, running in Minnesota's gubernatorial primary, has cast her vote as primary day is underway.
Ms Murphy, a registered nurse, has unveiled her single-payer healthcare pathway for Minnesota as part of her platform. She has received an endorsement from the state Democratic Party.
Jahana Hayes, running in Connecticut's 5th Congressional district Democratic primary, would become the state's first black Democrat in Congress should she win, the New York Times reports.
Ms Hayes was previously honoured at a 2016 White House ceremony by former President Barack Obama as "Teacher of the Year".
Newcomer Folasade Adeluola, challenging Bernie Sanders in his re-election bid, claimed Mr Sanders has "divided the Democratic Party" in an interview with NBC.
US Vice President Mike Pence has called Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "one of the best governors in America".
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, who was appointed amid Al Franken's resignation after sexual misconduct accusations, has tweeted that her campaign has proven to have been "people-powered".
Wisconsin GOP candidate state Sen. Leah Vukmir has tweeted her opposition to Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin's support of Sen. Bernie Sanders' "Medicare-for-all" bill.
Ms Vukmir called Ms Baldwin "Taxin' [Tammy Baldwin] on Twitter.
Wisconsin Democratic congressional candidate Randy Bryce, vying for Paul Ryan's seat, boasts endorsement by Social Security Works on Twitter.
Democratic governor candidate Kelda Roys in Wisconsin has visited the Harley-Davidson headquarters to call out Donald Trump's support of a boycott for the Wisconsin-based manufacturer.
Democrats are fighting to beat back Republican gains across the Midwest as the 2018 primary season roars through Wisconsin and Minnesota, two states where President Donald Trump's appeal among working-class voters threatens to upend decadeslong political trends this fall and beyond.
Tuesday's primary contests for governor, the US Senate and the House will measure the strength of Trump's fiery coalition against the energy of the Democratic resistance.
All but 10 states will have picked their candidates for November's general election by the time all votes are counted in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont and Connecticut. While the full political battlefield isn't quite set, the stakes are clear: Democrats are working to topple Republican control of Congress and governors' offices across the nation.
Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, who leads the Democratic Governors Association, predicted that Tuesday would offer fresh evidence of a blue wave that would sweep Democrats into power this November.
"Trump has managed to alienate every form of human life on the planet," Mr Inslee told The Associated Press when asked about his party's appeal among white working-class voters. "They're tired of this chaos."
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