Wisconsin, Connecticut, Vermont, and Minnesota have primaries Tuesday.
This time in Wisconsin, a Trump-backed candidate faces a Pence-backed opponent for the third time.
Four states have primaries Tuesday: Wisconsin, Connecticut, Vermont, and Minnesota.
The Wisconsin Republican primary is the latest proxy struggle between former presidents Donald Trump and Mike Pence, both of whom might run for president in 2024.
Republicans in the state are divided over whether Joe Biden’s 2020 win can be “decertified.”
Trump endorsed Tim Michels, who gave his campaign $12 million. Pence backed former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch together with Scott Walker.
Tim Ramthun, who behind Kleefisch and Michels in polls, has spearheaded the charge to decertify Biden’s win.
Trump and his backers have asked for state lawmakers to “decertify” or nullify the results almost a year and a half after Biden’s inauguration.
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court determined that absentee ballot dropboxes are unconstitutional, emboldening them.
“Do you understand? In 2020, they were outlawed. Scores of votes, “Trump claimed Friday in Waukesha.
Michels said he will dismantle the state’s elections commission during the gathering, which Kleefisch backs.
“I’ll fix Wisconsin’s elections. We’ll stop ‘Zuckerbucks’ from taking over our elections. No more! “saying
“After 21 months, we shouldn’t be having this topic. Rigged? Fix? I’ll quit “Adding,
Michels, who Trump endorsed in June, said decertification isn’t a priority. In a later discussion, he remarked “everything’s on the table.”
Wisconsin law prohibits decertifying 2020 results. Kleefisch has said during debates and on the campaign trail that neither state nor federal law allows it.
Still, it’s a contrast between her and Michels, who both question the 2020 election results and face Democrat Tony Evers in November.
A days-before-the-primary Emerson College survey placed Kleefisch two points ahead of Michels.
39% said Trump’s support influenced their choice, while 49% said it didn’t.
Kleefisch and Michels wouldn’t pledge at a town hall to supporting Trump in 2024.
“I’m concentrating on the election. I’ve made no 2024 promises “Michels:
Michels indicated he’d support Trump’s third run at the Waukesha event.
AdImpact data shows over $30 million spent on Republican primary ads. Michels’ campaign spent almost $10 million, followed by Evers and Kleefisch with $5 million each.
Trump and Pence will divide again on gubernatorial candidates in Wisconsin. Pence endorsed Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who won.
Trump-backed Kari Lake beat Pence-backed Karrin Taylor Robson in Arizona last Thursday.
Both agree on some choices. Both have backed Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Arkansas and Rep. Lee Zeldin in New York.
Kleefisch said “This is the Republican party of the people” following a law enforcement roundtable with Pence in Wisconsin.
“Everlasting. As a Wisconsin Republican, “Afterward, she told reporters.
In Wisconsin’s 63rd Legislative District contest, decertification of the recent presidential election is a common subject.
Trump backs Adam Steen, who is opposing Wisconsin House Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican who launched an inquiry into voting fraud in 2020. Investigation found “no electoral fraud.”
Trump attacked Vos because he won’t decertify Biden’s victory. Steen supports decertifying Wisconsin’s elections.
Wisconsin is a Senate battleground state where GOP incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson will likely face Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a progressive whose top three opponents dropped out and backed him.
Connecticut
Trump endorsed Leora Levy last week in Connecticut’s GOP Senate campaign.
Trump endorsed Leora Levy, saying she’ll win the primary. Levy and Peter Lumaj are Trump supporters. Levy was Trump’s candidate for Chilean ambassador, but she wasn’t confirmed.
Themis Klarides, a moderate Republican endorsed by the state GOP leadership, said he didn’t vote for Trump in 2020.
In July, anti-Trump Republican Larry Hogan attended a fundraiser for her. In 2016, Levy called Trump “vulgar, ill-mannered, and disparaging”
Whoever wins will face Democratic incumbent Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a frequent Trump target.
Vermont
Two Democrats and two Republicans are competing for Vermont’s vacant congressional seat. Vermont will elect its first female congresswoman if one of them wins in November.
Vermont is somewhat female-dominated. Lt.
Gov. Molly Gray and progressive teacher Becca Balint are leading Democrats. The recent poll showed Balint with a 32-point edge.
Sanders endorsed Balint, while Leahy voted for Gray. Ericka Redic and Anya Tynio, Republicans. Welch seeks Leahy’s Vermont seat. He leads Niki Thran and Isaac Evans-Frantz in the Democratic primary.
Minnesota
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar faces four primary opponents. Don Samuels leads the field, but Omar has doubled his fundraising this election cycle.
Rep. Cori Bush easily won her primary in Missouri’s 1st District by over 40 points. Omar is the latest progressive House Democrat to face a primary challenger this cycle.
Also, Rep. Jim Hagedorn’s term ends with a special election. In February, cancer killed Hagedorn.
The seat leans Republican, but Jeff Ettinger may win the special election. SuveryUSA/ABC6 found Brad Finstad ahead 8 points. 10 points gave Trump the district.
The last major House special election for Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s seat in Nebraska’s 1st District was closer than national Republicans expected, in part owing to Democratic response against Dobbs.
Patty Pansing Brooks lost by just under 7 points against Mike Flood. 15 points gave Trump the district.