MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The power of an endorsement from the former president donald trump in battleground Wisconsin will be tested in a race for an open congressional seat in Tuesday’s primary, when voters will also officially set the field for the closely watched state Race for US Senate.
Voters will choose a Democratic candidate to face a first-term Republican who won a congressional district in western Wisconsin after a generation of Democratic control. Two constitutional amendments approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would take power away from the governor are also on the ballot.
The election is the first in the state new legislative maps more favorable to Democrats.
Here’s what you should know:
Race for Senate
The Senate seat currently held by Senator Tammy Baldwin is seen as a must-win for Democrats if they hope to maintain majority control.
Republican millionaire banker Eric Hovde has dominated the GOP race, pouring $13 million of his own money into the race in just four months, and faces nominal opposition in his quest to defeat two-term incumbent Baldwin.
Hovde’s main opponents, including the chicken and pig farmer Carlos Barman and chairman of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College Republicans Rejani RaveendranThey raised almost nothing for the race and did almost no public campaigning.
Constitutional amendments
Voters will decide on two Republican-backed constitutional amendments that would strip the governor of the power to spend federal money.
The amendments put on the ballot by Republicans would require legislative approval before the governor could spend any federal money coming into the state for disaster relief or any other crisis, unless it was already set aside.
Democratic Governor Tony Evers and liberals oppose it, arguing that it will slow down the distribution of money when it needs to be spent quickly. But Republican supporters say it will increase oversight and serve as a check on the governor’s powers.
Congressional Primaries
Three Republicans, including one backed by Trump, face off in another primary for the open seat in northeastern Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District. This opening was caused by the surprise resignation in April of the Republican Party Representative Mike Gallaghersometimes a Trump critic.
Former owner of gas station chain Tony Wiedrunning in his first race, touts his endorsement by Trump, who shot a TV ad for Wied. The race will be a test to see how far Trump’s support can go, as Wied faces two challengers who won legislative races that include parts of the congressional district: Roger Roththe former president of the state Senate who is supported by former governor Scott Walker, and André Jaquea current state senator who argues he is a “proven conservative fighter.”
Jacque ran a television ad showing him with boxing gloves, with the narrator praising Jacque as not afraid to stand up to both the powerful Republican Assembly speaker and the “woke mob.”
Dr.an obstetrician who sued to overturn Wisconsin’s abortion ban is the only Democrat running.
In a confusing twistvoters will decide who will advance in the primary to serve a two-year term starting in January and also who will fill the remainder of Gallagher’s term this year. These are two separate issues on the ballot in August and November.
Western Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, which was represented by a Democrat for 26 years before flipping in 2022, is the most competitive district in the state, resulting in a crowded Democratic primary for the chance to face incumbent Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden.
Van Orden is a former Navy SEAL who was at the Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection and remains one of Trump’s strongest supporters in Wisconsin.
He is one of the Democrats’ main targets. State Representative Katrina Shanklandwhich has the support of more than 18 unions and two other Democratic members of Congress from the state, faces former small business owner and political activist Rebecca Cooke and political newcomer Eric Wilson in the Democratic primary.
There are also Republican primaries in the heavily Democratic 2nd and 4th Congressional Districts, and a Democratic primary in the heavily Republican 7th Congressional District.
Legislative races
This is the first election under new legislative boundaries that were enacted after previous maps were ruled unconstitutional in December.
Legislative incumbents will face off in six primaries, including four Assembly races, where the new maps pit them against each other.
The winners of Tuesday’s primary will face off in November, when all 99 Assembly seats and half the Senate are up for election.
Democrats are running candidates in every Senate district on the ballot for the first time in 20 years, hoping to capitalize on new lines that are more favorable to them. They have a legitimate opportunity to gain majority control of the Assembly, but Republicans are confident they will retain the Senate.
The Legislature has been under Republican control since 2011, serving as a bloc on Evers’ agenda for the past six years. Evers also has rejected republican initiativesvetoing the most bills of any governor in Wisconsin history.
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who was targeted by Trump supporters in two failed recall attempts, faces no primary challenger. Andrew Cegielski withdrew from the campaign in June, but his name remains as Vos’ primary challenger.
Two Republicans, state Rep. Janel Brandtjen and Sen. Dan Knodl, face off in a new Assembly district representing Milwaukee’s far northwest suburbs. Brandtjen, who tried to overturn Trump’s loss in Wisconsin in the 2020 presidential election, supported the effort to unseat Vos.
On the Senate side, Republican incumbent Dan Feyen will face former state representative Tim Ramthun in the primary for the seat representing far east-central Wisconsin. Ramthun, who has also promoted conspiracy theories that Trump won Wisconsin, is trying to return to politics after a failed 2020 run for governor.
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Associated Press writer Todd Richmond contributed to this report.
