Establishment wins in Wisconsin and Minnesota primaries, South Carolina runoff
Primary elections in Wisconsin and Minnesota saw establishment-backed candidates prevail, while South Carolina will hold a runoff after no candidate secured a majority.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Primary elections across six US states on Tuesday delivered a clear victory for establishment-backed candidates in the two most closely watched races, while South Carolina is heading for a runoff to fill the vacant Senate seat.
In Wisconsin, Democratic socialist Francesca Hong was defeated by the more moderate David Crowley for the party's nomination for governor. Hong, who had attracted attention for controversial remarks, including suggesting Thanksgiving should be cancelled, had been seen as a risk in a key swing state. Establishment Democrats had feared that a progressive candidate could cost them the race in November, and they will be relieved by the outcome.
In Minnesota, the Senate race pitted moderate Congresswoman Angie Craig against progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. It became one of the most expensive primaries in US history, with both campaigns spending tens of millions of dollars. The contest was shaped by the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and the impact of tariffs on the state's economy. Results indicated that Craig prevailed, giving establishment Democrats a win. On the Republican side, the controversial businessman Mike Lindell, known for his election denial activism, lost his primary for governor, another boost for the party's mainstream.
South Carolina's special primary for the late Senator Lindsey Graham's seat saw his sister, Darlene Graham, secure the endorsement of President Trump and advance to a runoff after no candidate reached a majority. She will face one of the several well-known Republican contenders, including Representatives Russell Fry and Ralph Norman and former Governor Mark Sanford, in the second round.
The primaries, held in Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota, South Carolina, Vermont and Wisconsin, underscored the ongoing tension between the Democratic Party's progressive and moderate wings. While progressive candidates have performed well in recent years, the results suggest that establishment figures remain formidable when the stakes are high. The outcomes also carry implications for control of Congress, with the legislative branch acting as a check on the president.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News |
|---|---|
| A candidate described as Lindsey Graham's sister advanced in the South Carolina primary but will face a runoff. | |
| A special primary is being held in South Carolina to find a long-term replacement for the late Senator Lindsey Graham. | |
| Darlene Graham has President Trump's endorsement. | |
| Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist candidate, lost the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary. | |
| Mike Lindell, a Republican candidate for governor in Minnesota, lost his primary. | |
| Minnesota's Senate race is between moderate Angie Craig and progressive Peggy Flanagan. | |
| Primary elections were held in six US states: Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin. | |
| The Minnesota Senate race between Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan was reported as one of the most expensive in US history, with campaigns spending tens of millions of dollars. | |
| The Minnesota Senate race is one of the most expensive in US history. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel provided a detailed, on-the-ground look at the Minnesota race, featuring a live correspondent. It framed the contest as a battle between progressives and moderates, highlighted the huge spending, and noted the broader national issues such as immigration and tariffs. It also gave a straightforward rundown of the South Carolina primary, noting Trump's endorsement of Darlene Graham. The tone was analytical and balanced, with no overt editorialising.
- “Two states in particular are a showdown between the Democratic Party's progressives and moderates.”
- “It's become one of the most expensive elections in US history”
- “His sister, Darlene Graham, has secured the endorsement of President Trump”
The channel offered a concise roundup focusing on the broader theme of establishment vs anti-establishment across both parties. It highlighted the defeats of progressive Francesca Hong and election denier Mike Lindell, framing them as wins for the mainstream. It also noted the South Carolina runoff. The tone was more interpretative, explicitly calling it a "win for establishment."
- “For her to lose, I think is something that you know, Republicans didn't particularly want because they wanted to campaign on that.”
- “But then on the other hand, you had candidates like Mike Lindell, the Republican candidate for governor at Minnesota, he lost his primary.”
- “And so I think there's sort of this win for establishment because not only on the Democratic side but also on the Republican side.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.