U.S. Primary Elections Produce Major Upsets as Parties Prepare for 2026 Midterms

WASHINGTON: Primary elections held across several U.S. states on Tuesday produced a series of closely watched contests and notable political upsets, offering an early indication of the dynamics that could shape the 2026 midterm elections.

In South Carolina, Rep. Ralph Norman and interim Sen. Darline Graham advanced to an August 25 Republican runoff to determine the GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. The Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.

Minnesota also witnessed a significant Democratic contest, with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan defeating U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in the Democratic Senate primary. The winner is expected to compete for the seat currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. In the gubernatorial race, Sen. Amy Klobuchar secured the Democratic nomination unopposed and pledged to focus on affordability and combating fraud.

Wisconsin featured one of the most closely contested Democratic gubernatorial primaries, with Democratic socialist Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley running neck and neck. The eventual Democratic nominee will face Republican Tom Tiffany in November. Hong drew support from Madison, while Crowley entered the race with the endorsement of Gov. Tony Evers and a more moderate campaign platform.

In Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, Democrat Rebecca Cooke won her party’s nomination and will challenge two-term Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in November. The district is regarded as a key Democratic target, with Cooke having narrowly lost to Van Orden in 2024.

Connecticut produced another major Democratic upset as former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin defeated longtime Rep. John Larson in the state’s 1st Congressional District primary. Larson had represented the district for nearly three decades. Bronin said the result reflected a demand for greater energy and change within the Democratic Party.

The outcome also marked a broader pattern of challenges to established congressional figures. According to the Associated Press, Larson became the 10th incumbent U.S. House member to lose a primary during the current election cycle, while 70 representatives in total are not expected to return to Congress next year.

In Alabama, Republican Ammie Akin won the GOP nomination in the 7th Congressional District and will face Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell in November. The contest is taking place under newly redrawn congressional boundaries following a U.S. Supreme Court decision affecting the state’s district maps.

Wisconsin also saw Michael Alfonso, the 26-year-old son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, win the Republican nomination in the state’s 7th Congressional District. Alfonso benefited from an endorsement by President Donald Trump and defeated four other Republican candidates.

The August 11 primaries are being closely watched as both Democrats and Republicans seek to consolidate their bases, recruit competitive candidates and position themselves for the November 2026 midterm elections. The results point to continued intra-party competition, challenges to long-serving incumbents and a potentially significant role for ideological divisions in determining the congressional landscape.