Minnesota voters will cast primary ballots Tuesday to decide who will represent their parties in November’s general election. Statewide primaries for governor, attorney general and state House seats will be on the ballot, as will federal races for two U.S. Senate seats and multiple Congressional districts. And don’t forget to flip the ballot over for a slew of local races. Registered voters can cast a ballot in only one of the party primaries. Those not registered can do so at their polling location by showing proof of residence: a valid driver’s license, permit, passport, military or tribal ID, or bill and bank statements with a listed address are all accepted. RELATED: Click here for Pioneer Press coverage of this year’s primary. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website (mnvotes.org) to find your local polling location.<doc-sep>Voters across the country will pick the candidates for some of November’s most contested House, Senate, and governor’s races in Tuesday’s primary elections in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Vermont. Wisconsin Democrats will select the nominee they hope can finally take down Republican Gov. Scott Walker, as they get their fourth shot in 10 years to unseat him. Minnesota has a wide-open governor’s race and some House districts that both Democrats and Republicans think they could win from the other party in the 2018 midterm elections. In deep-blue Connecticut, Republicans still might have a chance to win the governor’s mansion with a deeply unpopular outgoing Democratic governor. The Democrats hope they could turn the tables in Vermont, though Republican Gov. Phil Scott has enjoyed a healthy level of popularity over his first term. Polls start to close at 7 pm ET. Vox will have live results for all the big races, powered by Decision Desk. Wisconsin governor: Democrats have another shot at Scott Walker Gov. Scott Walker is up for reelection again, and Democrats are hoping 2018 is the year they can finally kick him out of the governor’s mansion. More than eight Democrats have filed to run in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary. Tony Evers, the state’s public education chief, is in the lead, but polling has been scarce, and several other candidates have pulled in notable endorsements and fundraising. Mahlon Mitchell, the president of the Professional Fire Fighters Association, has the support of California Sen. Kamala Harris, and Kelda Helen Roys, a former state Assembly member, has the backing of New York’s Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (and Wisconsin’s most famed indie band, Bon Iver). State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (who has run in a Democratic gubernatorial primary before) and political activist Mike McCabe have also gotten progressive support. Walker will be a formidable challenge, having won three elections in eight years in Wisconsin. But his failed 2016 presidential campaign tanked his popularity in the state, something he has been campaigning hard to fix. Polls show him in a tighter race this year with his Democratic challengers than in any of his past races. Wisconsin Senate: a bitter Republican primary to oust a red-state Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin is up for her first reelection, and Republicans are gunning for her seat. But a bitter Republican primary risks leaving the party bruised for the general election. The race is between state Sen. Leah Vukmir and former veteran/ex-Democrat Kevin Nicholson. The Republicans have pushed each other to the right and embraced President Trump. Nicholson’s history as a Democrat and Vukmir’s initial resistance to embrace Trump in 2016 have been used against them. Baldwin was supposed to be vulnerable, as a relatively low-profile Democrat in a state that voted for Trump. But early polling has shown her ahead of both Vukmir and Nicholson by 10 points or more — and it doesn’t help that Republicans have spent months beating up on their own. Wisconsin’s First Congressional District: Democrats really want to take Paul Ryan’s seat Randy “Ironstache” Bryce has been declared the winner of the Wisconsin First Democratic primary. Paul Ryan is retiring, and Democrats think they can flip his congressional district blue. Two candidates — Randy Bryce, a populist ironworker and union organizer who goes by the nickname “Ironstache”; and Cathy Myers, a school board member and teacher — are in a bitter battle for the chance to win Ryan’s seat in Congress. Bryce gained a national platform after releasing a viral campaign ad in the summer of 2017, raking in donations and winning some high-profile endorsements, like that of Sen. Bernie Sanders. But he’s had media flubs and faced questions over past arrests for marijuana use and a DUI, and his past failures to pay child support. Myers, who has won elected office in the area, has been actively attacking Bryce’s character and his lack of policy chops. It’s made for an ugly race — and one that could damage both candidates for the general. The Republican primary looks much more straightforward. Bryan Steil, a well-known local business executive with Ryan’s endorsement, is the favorite to win the Republican nomination. Also on the ballot: Self-described “pro-White Christian American candidate” and alt-right troll Paul Nehlen; Nick Polce, an Army Green Beret and first-time candidate; Jeremy Ryan, a pro-marijuana candidate whose campaign website features him taking bong rips; and Kevin Steen, a Christian business leader who has been endorsed by Pro-Life Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s Seventh Congressional District: an opening for Democrats in the north Covering much of northern Wisconsin, this is the half-rural, half-urban kind of district Democrats are eying across the country in 2018. Health care is playing a major role in this race, after incumbent Republican Rep. Sean Duffy voted for the GOP’s deeply unpopular Obamacare repeal bill last year. Two Democrats — Margaret Engebretson, an attorney, veteran, and former railroad union worker; and Brian Ewert, a doctor at the Marshfield Clinic — are hoping they can unseat him. Minnesota governor: Democrat Mark Dayton is retiring, leaving an open seat Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is retiring, and there’s a sizable field of candidates lining up to replace him. On the Democratic side, there’s a competitive three-way race between US Rep. Tim Walz, state Rep. Erin Murphy, and state Attorney General Lori Swanson. Walz and Swanson look like the frontrunners in this race: A July NBC News/Marist poll found 28 percent of Minnesota primary voters favored Swanson, 24 percent supported Walz, and 11 percent backed Murphy, a progressive candidate running on Medicare-for-all. Walz represents a more conservative part of the state in Congress, and is being forced to reckon with his past stance on guns — one that had earned him an A rating from the National Rifle Association. Swanson is also facing allegations that she had staff in the attorney general’s office do political work for her. On the Republican side, the race is on between former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former state Rep. Jeff Johnson, who ran for governor unsuccessfully in 2014. On the Republican side, Pawlenty has more name recognition and campaign cash than Johnson, reflected in his 19-point polling lead in the NBC News/Marist poll. But the former governor also has some vulnerabilities; notably, his establishment ties (he’s worked as a lobbyist after leaving the governor’s mansion in 2011) and his disavowal of President Trump, which could hurt him with Trump voters in the state. As for the general election — the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates this a toss-up, but the NBC poll found Pawlenty trailing all three Democratic contenders. Minnesota Senate: new Sen. Tina Smith vies for first reelection Sen. Tina Smith, Minnesota’s the former lieutenant governor whom Dayton appointed to Senate in wake of Al Franken’s resignation after accusations of sexual misconduct, is running again. She’s got some primary competition from former Bush administration official Richard Painter. Two Republicans are vying for the spot to challenge Smith: State Sen. Karin Housley faces dental technician and first-time candidate Bob Anderson. The polling so far looks good for Smith and Housley. As for the general election, this race looks to be pretty comfortably Democratic. Cook rates it Likely Democratic. Smith has kept her head down and voted with the Democratic caucus as a freshman senator, and she was already popular in the state before being appointed. Smith has a 9-point lead in a hypothetical matchup with Housley, according to the latest polling average from RealClearPolitics. Minnesota attorney general: Keith Ellison allegations hang over primary Keith Ellison has been declared the winner of the Minnesota Attorney General Democratic primary. There’s a crowded five-person race for attorney general on the Democratic side. The attorney general race is usually pretty sleepy, but this one has been shaken up by allegations that Democratic candidate and US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) abused his ex-girlfriend. On the Republican side, former state Rep. Doug Wardlow and former state Sen. Robert Lessard are running. There aren’t many available polls for this race, but the state has only elected a single Republican attorney general since 1955 ... so it seems safe to say the eventual Democratic candidate is favored to win. The big question mark in this race is Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress and a progressive firebrand. He’s is easily the most recognizable name in the pack of Democrats, but he could be in trouble in light of new abuse allegations. This weekend, the son of Ellison’s ex-girlfriend wrote a lengthy Facebook post alleging that Ellison had been abusive to the woman. The claims have not been independently verified, and Ellison has denied mistreating her. Minnesota’s First Congressional District: an open seat Democrats must defend Iraq War veteran and Obama administration official Dan Feehan is running to replace Tim Walz, who is running for governor. He has widespread support from the state and national party. But the main primary competition tonight is between two Republicans: former US Treasury Department official Jim Hagedorn and state Sen. Carla Nelson. The First District is a fairly conservative region of the state that Walz has been able to get reelected in partially because of his moderate stances. Now that he’s departing, it’s not a given that Democrats can replicate his success. Feehan has the imprimatur of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He’s running as moderate — in favor of protecting the Affordable Care Act, the state’s farmers, and the military. Hagedorn and Nelson are both running on conservative platforms and embracing Donald Trump. Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District: a Muslim woman could replace Ellison Ilhan Omar has been declared the winner of the Minnesota First Democratic primary election. In the race to replace Ellison in this safely Democratic seat, Ilhan Omar sticks out: She could be one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District: Republicans aim to take down a longtime Democratic representative Longtime Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson (in office since 1991) is again facing a challenge from Republicans. Two are vying to compete against him in November: Air Force veteran David Hughes versus National Guard veteran and business leader Matt Prosch. This district is a strange amalgamation: rated R+12 and yet still in Cook’s Likely Democratic category. That’s because Peterson has been in the House for a really, really long time. He was first elected in 1990 and is the longest-serving House member in the Minnesota delegation. Peterson has a record to reflect that; he’s a friend to farmers in a rural district dominated by agriculture and tends to vote more conservative. Hughes already ran against Peterson in 2016 and lost by 5 points. Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District: Democrats hope to hold on to Rick Nolan’s seat Democratic Rep. Rick Nolan is vacating his seat to run for lieutenant governor, opening up a large field of candidates for this open seat. Five Democrats are competing to win the primary on Tuesday: North Branch Mayor Kirsten Kennedy, state Rep. Jason Metsa, former state Rep. Joe Radinovich, former TV news anchor Michelle Lee, and progressive activist Soren Sorensen. On the GOP sides, St. Louis County Commissioner Pete Stauber and Duluth school board member Harry Welty are facing off. The Eighth Congressional District leans conservative. Now that Nolan is leaving, Republicans see a prime opportunity to win back control of a district Cook rates R+4. There’s a large field of Democrats running to be the nominee, and there isn’t a clear frontrunner so far. The state party hasn’t yet endorsed a candidate, although Metsa is leading the race in campaign cash. Stauber, the GOP frontrunner and a well-known local politician, has out-fundraised all the Democrats so far. Connecticut governor: an open seat could flip from blue to red Current Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy has opted not to pursue reelection, prompting a large pool of Republicans and Democrats to jump into the race. His dismal approval ratings as the state grapples with a sputtering economy aren’t expected to help any potential Democratic successors. Two business leaders — Bob Stefanowski and David Stemerman — established early leads on the Republican side, but the field has become more level in recent months. A July poll gave Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, who also secured the Republican state party endorsement, the edge.<doc-sep>
Voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday for unusually dramatic Minnesota primary elections. Two major Democratic candidates in statewide campaigns — Lori Swanson for governor and Keith Ellison for attorney general — have serious allegations hanging over their races. Swanson, the current state attorney general, has been accused of using employees in her office for political work, while Ellison, the current representative for Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District, has been accused of abuse by an ex-girlfriend. (He denies the abuse and the claims haven’t been independently substantiated.) Beyond the governor’s and attorney general’s race, there are competitive fields in the primaries for US Senate and House. Newly appointed Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) is running her first race, but also is facing a primary challenge. With a handful of competitive congressional seats, the state could also be critical in the battle for control of the House in the 2018 midterm elections. Two longtime Democratic Congress members in more conservative districts are running for governor and lieutenant governor, leaving open seats that give Republicans a few of their only chances to win House districts from Democrats. But Democrats also have openings to pick up a few seats, in their quest for a House majority. Polls close at 9 pm ET. Vox has live results below, powered by Decision Desk. Minnesota governor: Democrat Mark Dayton is retiring, leaving an open seat Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is retiring, and there’s a sizable field of candidates lining up to replace him. On the Democratic side, there’s a competitive three-way race between US Rep. Tim Walz, state Rep. Erin Murphy, and state Attorney General Lori Swanson. Walz and Swanson look like the frontrunners in this race: a July NBC News/Marist poll found 28 percent of Minnesota primary voters favored Swanson, 24 percent supported Walz, and 11 percent backed Murphy — a progressive candidate running on Medicare-for-All. Walz represents a more conservative part of the state in Congress, and is being forced to reckon with his past stance on guns — one that had earned him an A rating from the National Rifle Association. Swanson is also facing allegations she had staff in the attorney general’s office do political work for her. On the Republican side, the race is on between former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former state Rep. Jeff Johnson, who ran for governor unsuccessfully in 2014. On the Republican side, Pawlenty has more name recognition and campaign cash than Johnson, reflected in his 19-point polling lead in the NBC News/Marist poll. But the former govenror also has some vulnerabilities; notably, his establishment ties (he’s worked as a lobbyist after leaving the governor’s mansion in 2011) and his disavowal of President Trump, which could hurt him with Trump voters in the state. As for the general election — the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates this a toss-up, but the NBC poll found Pawlenty trailing all three Democratic contenders. Minnesota Senate: new Sen. Tina Smith vies for first re-election Sen. Tina Smith, Minnesota’s the former lieutenant governor whom Dayton appointed to Senate in wake of Al Franken’s resignation after a sexual misconduct scandal, is running again. She’s got some primary competition from former Bush administration official Richard Painter. There are two Republicans vying for the spot to challenge Smith: State Sen. Karin Housley faces dental technician and first-time candidate Bob Anderson. The polling so far looks good for Smith and Housley. As for the general election, this race looks to be comfortably in Democratic territory. Cook rates it Likely Democratic. Smith has kept her head down and voted with the Democratic caucus as a freshman senator, and she was already popular in the state before being appointed. Smith has a 9-point lead in a hypothetical matchup with Housley, according to the latest polling average from RealClearPolitics. Minnesota attorney general: Keith Ellison allegations hang over primary Update: Keith Ellison has been declared the winner of the Minnesota Attorney General Democratic primary. There’s a crowded, five-person race for attorney general on the Democratic side. The attorney general race is usually sleepy, but this one has been shaken up by allegations that Democratic candidate and US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) abused his ex-girlfriend. On the Republican side, former state Rep. Doug Wardlow and former state Sen. Robert Lessard are running. There aren’t many available polls for this race, but the state has only elected a single Republican attorney general since 1955 ... so it seems safe to say the eventual Democratic candidate is favored to win.