Democratic strategist reflects on Wisconsin and Minnesota primaries

Key Points:

• In Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, moderate candidate David Crowley narrowly defeated progressive Francesca Hong, despite Hong leading in earlier polls, with Crowley benefiting from significant establishment support and advertising.
• The discourse around Hong's electability focused on her progressive stances, such as supporting defunding the police, which some viewed as a liability in a swing state, though Amanda Litman argued that such concerns were partly unfounded and reflective of bias.
• In Minnesota, progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the Senate nomination over moderate Angie Craig, with immigration issues playing a significant role, particularly backlash against Craig's earlier support for a strict anti-immigrant bill.
• The results across the Upper Midwest, including Abdul El-Sayed's narrow Senate primary win in Michigan, indicate a Democratic electorate eager for new voices and substantial change rather than establishment continuity.
• Amanda Litman highlighted a trend of younger Democrats challenging older incumbents, citing the defeat of 14-term Congressman John Larson in Connecticut as emblematic of voters' desire for representatives who better connect with current issues and demographics.