Donald J. Trump-backed businessman Tim Michels, who joined the Wisconsin Republican primary race for governor just four weeks ago, beat ex-Gov. Scott Walker’s lieutenant governor, Rebecca Kleefisch, NPR reports. Michels took 47.1% of the vote to Kleefisch’s 42.5%, and will take on incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers November 8.

Republican Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos narrowly edged Trumpian challenger Adam Steen, 51.3% to 48.7%, for his seat, says Wisconsin Public Radio. Steen had organized a “toss Vos” event in which his supporters loaded effigies of the longtime speaker into a makeshift catapult.

In a special election to replace Rep. Jim Hagedorn, Republican from Minnesota who died in office last May 24, Republican Brad Finstad beat Democrat Jeff Ettinger, 53.7% to 44.1%, Ballotpedia reports.

In Minnesota’s gubernatorial race, Republican Scott Jensen will take on first-term incumbent Democratic Gov. Tim Waltz. Both cruised to “easy victories” in their respective primaries, AP says. In the state’s race for attorney general, Republican business attorney Jim Schultz takes on incumbent Democrat Keith Ellison.

And in Minnesota’s race for secretary of state, Republican Kim Crockett, who has called the 2020 presidential campaign “rigged” and wants to roll back changes making it easier to vote faces two-term incumbent Democrat Steve Simon.

--TL