US Elections

Trump Endorsement Splits Outcomes in Minnesota and Wisconsin Primaries

The August 2026 primary results reveal that a presidential endorsement alone does not determine Republican primary outcomes, with Trump-backed candidates winning in Wisconsin while falling short...

The Congressional Times · August 12, 2026

President Donald Trump's endorsement produced different results in two Republican primaries held on August 12, 2026. In Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District, Trump-backed Michael Alfonso won the Republican primary with 48 percent of the vote when the Associated Press called the race at 10:16 p.m. with 40 percent of ballots counted, according to the Washington Examiner. In Minnesota's Republican gubernatorial primary, Trump's endorsed candidate, businessman Mike Lindell, lost to Minnesota state Rep. Lisa Demuth (R), as projected by Decision Desk HQ and reported by The Hill.

Alfonso, son-in-law of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, ran in a district that supported Trump in 2024 by more than 20 percentage points, according to the Washington Examiner. That margin positions Alfonso as a strong general-election contender in November. No general-election opponent has been identified in this report; the Democratic primary result for Wisconsin's 7th District is not confirmed in the available sourcing.

In Minnesota, Lindell faced legal headwinds during the primary campaign. A judge ruled that Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic with false statements, according to The Hill. Whether that ruling affected primary voter behavior is unknown; no exit polling data is cited in the available sourcing.

On the Democratic side, Matt Little, a former mayor and state senator, won a Democratic House primary in Minnesota, according to the New York Times. Little defeated two other candidates after campaigning on a ban on corporate money in politics and support for Medicare for All. Which congressional district Little will represent in November is not specified in the available sourcing; the relevant Federal Election Commission filings and district assignment records would clarify that detail.

What remains unknown across both states is the full vote totals and turnout figures for each primary. Complete certified results will be available through each state's official canvassing authority. FEC filings for all four candidates named in this report will reflect fundraising and expenditure totals once quarterly disclosures are submitted.

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