For some races that could be hot in the fall, there were no contests in Tuesday’s primaries in Vermont, Connecticut, Minnesota and Wisconsin. But voters were filling a House vacancy representing Minnesota for the rest of the year, and could be setting the stage for Vermont to be the last state to send at a woman to Congress.
Here’s a rundown of what happened in key races:
Vermont
Welch nominated to follow Leahy: Rep. Peter Welch beat two challengers to win the Democratic Senate nomination for the seat opened up by Sen. Patrick Leahy’s retirement. Welch had 83% against two challengers, activist Isaac Evans-Frantz and emergency physician Niki Thran, when The Associated Press called the race at 7:56 p.m. with an estimated 14% counted.
Balint takes House nomination: State Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint beat Lt. Gov. Molly Gray for the Democratic nomination for the state’s open House seat, and is well positioned to become the first woman sent to Congress by Vermont ever. Balint had 62% to Gray’s 36% when the AP called the race at 8:47 p.m.
Two other Democrats were on the ballot, but one had previously dropped out. Balint and Gray had roughly equal fundraising, each taking in about $1.1 million as of July 20. But outside groups spent $1.5 million, including nearly $1 million from the LGBTQ Victory Fund, supporting Balint.
She was the first woman and first LGBTQ person to lead the state Senate, and was endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Leahy said he voted for Gray. Republicans nominated Marine Corps veteran Liam Madden, who had 42% of the vote in a three-candidate field when the AP called that race at 10:13 p.m. The race is rated Solid Democratic by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales.
Wisconsin
Barnes to face Johnson: After his top rivals endorsed him, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes won the Democratic nomination to take on GOP Sen. Ron Johnson in what will be one of the country’s most closely watched races this fall. Barnes was leading with 84% of the vote when the AP called the race at 8:27 p.m. Central Time.
State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson and Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, who dropped out of the race in the two weeks leading up to primary day, remained on the ballot, along with four other Democrats.
Barnes, who is considered both a progressive and a populist, had raised $7 million and had $1 million on hand on July 20, His campaign announced on Aug. 1 it had pulled in another $1.1 million in the previous week as his opponents consolidated around him. Lasry, who funded his campaign partly through $14 million in loans from his personal wealth, has begun boosting Barnes and spent a reported $584,000 on a TV ad attacking Johnson. Barnes also received an additional $1 million in outside support.
Johnson, one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans, was beating retired educator David Schroeder in the Republican primary 86% to 14% when that race was called at 8:27 p.m. Central Time.
Johnson had raised $16 million and had $2 million cash on hand on July 20. He also had outside groups spending $12 million to support him and half that much to oppose him. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the November race Tilt Republican.
