2022 midterm primary results: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont and Connecticut
Four states went the polls Tuesday night in matchups that included a race to take on a swing-state governor, a member of the progressive "Squad" with several primary challengers and an opportunity to elect a woman for the first time in Vermont's at-large congressional district.
Tuesday's primaries take place a day after the FBI searched former President Donald Trump's primary residence in Florida, at Mar-a-Lago, as part of a probe into documents that may not have been preserved as required by the Presidential Records Act.
Since the search, Trump has launched fundraising efforts off "Biden's FBI RAIDS." Republicans blasted the search, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy vowed to retaliate if the GOP takes back the House in November.
Wisconsin, the site of the Republican National Convention in 2024, is one of the four states holding primaries on Tuesday. The state was one of the battleground states that Trump won in 2016 but swung to President Joe Biden in 2020. Trump has repeatedly called for state legislators to "decertify" Wisconsin's 2020 election results, which is not legally possible.
CBS News has projected that Trump-backed Tim Michels won the Republican nomination in the Wisconsin governor's race. Trump rallied for him on Friday in Waukesha. At that rally, Michels vowed to dissolve the state's elections commission. Former Vice President Mike Pence and former Republican Gov. Scott Walker backed Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.
In a victory speech on Tuesday night, Michels thanked Trump for his endorsement, calling it a "tremendous validation of the meteoric rise of our campaign."
Michels will take on Democratic incumbent Gov. Tony Evers, who did not face a primary challenge.
In the race to take on incumbent Republican and Trump ally Sen. Ron Johnson, the major Democratic candidates dropped out as the primary drew closer, effectively clearing the field for Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the progressive Squad, won her primary against four challengers in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, although the race was close. With 97% of the vote in, Omar had 56,392 votes to 53,890 for Don Samuels, who was backed by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
Vermont is possibly poised to elect its first female member of Congress. CBS News projected Becca Balint will win the Democratic primary. Baliant was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, while retiring Sen. Patrick Leahy said voted for Lt. Gov. Molly Gray.
On the Republican side, Liam Madden won the Republican nomination, defeating two women, Ericka Redic and Anya Tynio.
Democratic Rep. Peter Welsch won the nomination for retiring Sen. Patrick Leahy's seat.
Wisconsin governor Republican primary: CBS News projects Tim Michels wins
CBS News projects Tim Michels wins GOP nomination for Wisconsin Governor.
Wisconsin U.S. Senate Republican primary: CBS News projects Ron Johnson wins
CBS News projects Sen. Ron Johnson wins GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin
Wisconsin U.S. Senate Democratic primary: CBS News projects Mandela Barnes wins
CBS News projects Mandela Barnes wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin
Minnesota 5th U.S. Congressional District Democratic primary: Ilhan Omar wins
Rep. Ilhan Omar wins the Democratic primary for the 5th Congressional District in Minnesota.
Vermont U.S. Senate Democratic primary: Peter Welsch wins
Peter Welsch wins.
Vermont U.S. Senate Republican primary: Gerald Malloy wins
Gerald Malloy wins the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Vermont.
Vermont Congressional District Democratic primary: CBS News projects Becca Balint wins
CBS News projects Becca Balint wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Vermont
Vermont Congressional District Republican primary: Liam Madden wins
Liam Madden wins the Republican nomination in Vermont's at-large Congressional District.
Connecticut U.S. Senate Republican primary: Leora Levy wins
Leora Levy wins the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Connecticut.