2026 midterm primaries heat up in key battleground states

Competitive primaries are underway in Wisconsin (gubernatorial race with five Democrats), Michigan (Trump-backed James vs. Johnson in GOP gubernatorial primary), Minnesota (Senate primary between Craig and Flanagan), and Georgia (Ossoff campaign finance scrutiny). Black voters are a decisive force in Democratic primaries, and Trump's rally in Michigan signals GOP anxiety over economic issues. These races will shape party strategy and control of state governments.