Various states around the country, including Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wisconsin, held 2022 primary elections on Tuesday, August 9. Many races in these states set up general election matchups in November that will determine control of the U.S. Congress, each state’s legislature, and governorships.

Connecticut

In Connecticut’s gubernatorial race, incumbent Governor Ned Lamont (D) will face Bob Stefanowski (R) in the November election. Both primary races were canceled.

In Connecticut’s Senate race, Leora Levy prevailed in the Republican primary with 50.5% of the vote to former U.S. Rep. Themeis Klarides’ 40.1%. Peter Lumaj received 9.4%. Levy will face incumbent Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D) in November.

As of August 9, 2022, both the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rate Connecticut’s races for senate and governor as solid or safely Democratic.

Additionally, one statewide ballot measure allowing for early in-person voting will appear before Connecticut voters on November 8, 2022.

Legislative Outlook

Currently, the Democratic Party controls the Connecticut Senate 23–13 and the House 97–54.

Minnesota

In Minnesota’s gubernatorial race, incumbent Governor Tim Walz (D) easily won the Democratic primary with 96.3% of the vote. Walz will face former state Senator Scott Jensen (R), who won the Republican primary with 90.9% of the vote.

As of August 9, 2022, the Cook Political Report rates Minnesota’s gubernatorial race as ‘likely Democratic’ while Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates the race as ‘lean Democratic.’

Further, there was a special election in Minnesota’s 1st congressional district to fill the seat of Jim Hagedorn (R), who died in office earlier this year. Brad Finstad (R) beat Jeff Ettinger (D), 51.1% to 46.9%.

Legislative Outlook

Currently, the Republican Party holds a narrow advantage in the state Senate 34–31, while the Democratic Party holds a narrow advantage in the state House 69–64. 

Vermont

In Vermont’s gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor Phil Scott (R) beat back challengers Stephen Bellows (18.6%) and Peter Duval (12.6%) with 67.9% of the vote. Scott will face Brenda Siegel (D), who did not have an opponent in the Democratic primary.

Vermont has an open U.S. Senate seat to fill in November 2022 with the retirement of incumbent Sen. Patrick Leahy (D). On August 9, 2022, current U.S. Representative Peter Welch won the Democratic primary with 87.2% of the vote to Isaac Evans-Frantz’s 7.2% and Niki Thran’s 5%. On the Republican side, relative political newcomer Gerald Malloy won 43.1% of the vote, beating former U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan (38.4%) and Myers Mermel (18.5%).

The Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rate the Vermont Senate race as either solid or safe for the Democratic candidate. However, both rate the governor’s race as either solid or safe for the Republican candidate.

Legislative Outlook

Currently, the Democratic Party controls the Vermont Senate 21–7 and House 91–46. There are also seven members of the Vermont Progressive Party, five independents in the state House, and two of the Vermont Progressive Party in the state House.

Wisconsin

Governor Tony Evers (D) did not have an opponent in the 2022 primary election and will face Tim Michels (R) in November. Michels won the Republican primary with 47.1% of the vote to former Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch’s 42.5%. Three other candidates appeared on the Republican ballot, but each received fewer than 6% of the vote.

In the senate race, incumbent Ron Johnson (R) won the primary over David Schroeder, 84.6% to 15.4%. Johnson will face current Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (D), who easily won an eight-person primary with 77.5% of the vote.

The Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rate the Wisconsin governor’s race as a toss-up. Cook also rates the senate race as a toss-up, but Sabato rates it as ‘lean Republican.’

Legislative Outlook

Republicans currently control the Wisconsin State Senate 21–12 and State Assembly 57–38.