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 20:12 · Kristin Hugo]

Connecticut has closed primaries - meaning the only people who can vote in its Democratic and Republican primaries are those who are registered with that party. Polls close at 8pm

On the Democratic ballot, voters will have the option of choosing between Mayor Joe Ganim and businessman Ned Lamont. Mr Ganim was Mayor of Bridgeport from 1991 to 2003, when he resigned after being convicted on corruption charges. He then launched a remarkable political comeback after serving seven years of a nine-year prison sentence, becoming Bridgeport's mayor once again in 2015.

Although Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton has won the endorsement of the state's Republican party, he still has to fend off a number of other business leaders for the nomination.

[14 August 2018 20:22 · Kristin Hugo]

State representative Ilhan Omar is hoping to make history in Minnesota.

 

[14 August 2018 20:49 · Kristin Hugo]

Vermont, where polls close at 7 p.m., has a competitive gubernatorial race ahead. Four Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates are vying for the Vermont governor seat. On the Republican side, incumbent Gov. Phil Scott is looking to secure his party's nomination once again.

Through a loophole in Vermont's laws, 14-year-old Ethan Sonneborn is running for the office as a Democrat. Vermont's Constitution doesn't have an age requirement, it just requires candidates to have lived in the state for four years.

"I think Vermonters should take me seriously because I have practical progressive ideas, and I happen to be 14, not the other way around," the 14-year-old said in a recent gubernatorial forum. "I think that my message and my platform transcend age."

[14 August 2018 21:34 · Kristin Hugo]

Here is a piece on a candidate in Wisconsin, who has had to tell local media he is - in fact - not dead and is has been campaigning hard.

[14 August 2018 22:05 · Kristin Hugo]

In Minnesota's very competitive 2nd District in the suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, incumbent Republican Representative Jason Lewis is facing a slew of controversy over comments he made on a radio show he hosted prior to serving in Congress, including complaining that women could no longer be called “sluts” and equating gay marriage to rape.

[14 August 2018 22:36 · Steve Anderson]

"I believe Wisconsin is ready for a black governor," said gubernatorial candidate Mahlon Mitchell according to Vox. 

Democrat Mr Mitchell, a black firefighter union president, is vying to take on Republican Scott Walker in the governor's race. 

[14 August 2018 23:00 · Steve Anderson]

Democrat Randy Bryce, ironworker and union organizer vying for Paul Ryan's seat in Wisconsin shares photo encouraging people to make it to the polls before they close at 9pm local time. 

[14 August 2018 23:37 · Lucy Anna Gray]

One of the four Democrats standing in Vermont's governor race is Christine Hallquist, who would be America's first transgender governor. 

Ms Hallquist was the first CEO to transition while in her job, according to political action committee the Victory Fund.

[14 August 2018 23:46 · Lucy Anna Gray]

States such as Wisconsin and Minnesota helped drive Donald Trump's 2016 election win two years ago. The results of today's primaries will be a good marker for how the Democrats will fair in November's midterm elections.

[14 August 2018 23:56 · Lucy Anna Gray]

In other US news, an active shooter situation has been reported in a Pennsylvania Walmart