美国威斯康星州和明尼苏达州周二举行关键初选，进一步暴露民主党内左翼与温和派的深刻分裂。[1][2][4] 这两场初选将产生该党在中西部摇摆州的主要候选人。
在威斯康星州州长初选中，自称民主社会主义者的州众议员弗朗西斯卡·洪保持稳定领先。[1][2] 这位37岁的单亲母亲、前厨师正寻求击败州长托尼·埃弗斯支持的建制派候选人大卫·克劳利。[2] 该党初选经历多起波折，副州长萨拉·罗德里格斯因竞选财务丑闻于7月中旬退出，前副州长曼德拉·巴恩斯则在选举前不到两周因不当行为问题退出。[2] 获胜者将在11月对阵共和党众议员汤姆·蒂夫尼。[1][2]
明尼苏达州民主党参议院初选同样反映党内对立。[4] 温和派众议员安吉·克雷格与进步派副州长佩吉·弗拉纳根争夺民主党提名。[4] 克雷格获得众议院议长哈基姆·杰弗里斯和前议长南希·佩洛西支持，而弗拉纳根则获得伯尼·桑德斯和伊丽莎白·沃伦支持。[4] 克雷格曾投票支持《莱肯·莱利法案》，但在两名抗议者遭枪杀后改口反对。[4] 历史数据显示该州政治态势的变化：2016年希拉里在明尼苏达州仅胜特朗普1.5个百分点，而2024年卡玛拉·哈里斯则以4个百分点胜出。[4]
康涅狄格州民主党也在周二举行初选，面临代际更新的抉择。[3] 现任众议员约翰·拉尔森现年78岁，自1999年代表该州第1国会选区，但去年在众议院发言时因复杂部分性癫痫发作突然停止，引发健康担忧。[3] 挑战者、前哈特福德市长布朗宁现年46岁，是罗德学者、律师和海军预备役军官，获党内背书，主张代际更新。[3] 布朗宁在7月29日辩论中表示："我认为如果我们党的更多领导人认识到领导力的一部分是知道何时该传递接力棒，我们将成为一个更强大的民主党。"[3] 该州民主党州长内德·拉蒙特现年71岁，寻求第三任期，面临41岁州议员乔什·埃利奥特的左翼挑战。[3]
Multiple states are holding primary elections on Tuesday that will illustrate deepening ideological tensions within the Democratic Party. In Wisconsin, a self-described democratic socialist is mounting a strong challenge to the establishment-backed gubernatorial candidate, while Minnesota's Senate race pits a moderate against a progressive candidate with competing endorsements from national party figures.[1][4]
Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor features state Representative Francesca Hong, a 37-year-old single mother and former chef, attempting to defeat David Crowley, whom Governor Tony Evers has endorsed.[2] Hong has positioned herself on the party's left wing, though her record shows tactical shifts: she previously advocated publicly for police defunding in 2020 but has since disavowed that stance.[1] The winner will face Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany in November.[1][2] The primary has been marked by significant candidate departures—Vice Governor Sara Rodriguez withdrew in mid-July amid campaign finance scandals, and former Vice Governor Mandela Barnes exited less than two weeks before the election due to misconduct allegations.[2]
In Minnesota, the Democratic Senate primary centers on a stark ideological divide. U.S. Representative Angie Craig, representing the moderate wing, is competing against Vice Governor Peggy Flanagan, who appeals to progressives.[4] Craig has secured backing from House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while Flanagan has won endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren.[4] Craig previously voted for the Laken Riley Act but reversed her position after two protesters were shot.[4] The state's electoral trajectory underscores the stakes: Hillary Clinton won Minnesota by only 1.5 percentage points in 2016, while Kamala Harris expanded the Democratic margin to 4 percentage points in 2024.[4]
Connecticut's Democratic primary for the First Congressional District is framing this election cycle's broader question of generational change. Incumbent U.S. Representative John Larson, 78, who has held the seat since 1999, is seeking his fifteenth term, but health concerns have intensified scrutiny following his collapse during a House speech last year, subsequently diagnosed as a complex partial seizure.[3] His primary challenger, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, 46, a Rhodes Scholar, lawyer, and Navy Reserve officer, has secured party endorsement and made intergenerational renewal his campaign theme.[3] During a July 29 debate, Bronin stated: "I think we'd be a stronger Democratic Party if more of our leaders recognized that part of leadership is knowing when to hand off the baton."[3] Larson responded in the same debate: "I call for his impeachment because he violated the rule of law."[3] The state's gubernatorial race also reflects this pattern, with Governor Ned Lamont, 71, seeking a third term against 41-year-old state legislator Josh Elliott, whose campaign emphasizes progressive priorities.[3]