The latest round of US primary contests has delivered mixed results as progressive candidates made gains alongside establishment figures and Trump-backed contenders, sharpening several key races ahead of November midterms.
Results were still being counted early on Wednesday following Tuesday's primaries in Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin, as well as a special Senate contest in South Carolina.
One of the biggest surprises came in Connecticut, where former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin held a commanding lead over veteran Democratic Representative John Larson in the state's 1st Congressional District.
Bronin had about 54 percent of the vote, compared with 34 percent for Larson, according to preliminary results.
Larson has represented the district for nearly three decades.
Elsewhere in Connecticut, Democratic Governor Ned Lamont comfortably advanced with about 67 percent of the vote and is set to face Republican Ryan Fazio in November.
Minnesota also produced several closely watched contests.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar dominated her party's gubernatorial primary with nearly 89 percent of the vote as she seeks to succeed Governor Tim Walz, who stepped aside.
On the Republican side, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth led with about 45 percent, ahead of MyPillow founder Mike Lindell on 32 percent and Kendall Qualls on about 21 percent.
The race for Minnesota's open Senate seat exposed a divide within the Democratic Party.
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan led Representative Angie Craig by about 57 percent to 42 percent in a contest closely watched as a test of the party's progressive and moderate wings.
Former television journalist Michele Tafoya led the Republican Senate primary with about 56 percent.
Wisconsin races take shape
In neighbouring Wisconsin, Trump-backed Representative Tom Tiffany cruised towards the Republican nomination for governor, taking about 96 percent of the vote against Andy Manske.
The Democratic contest was considerably tighter.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, backed by outgoing Governor Tony Evers, held a narrow lead over progressive state Representative Francesca Hong, with roughly 41 percent to Hong's 37 percent.
Other candidates, including Kelda Roys, trailed as counting continued.
Wisconsin races take shape
In Wisconsin, Trump-backed Representative Tom Tiffany cruised towards the Republican nomination for governor, taking about 96% of the vote against Andy Manske.
The Democratic contest was considerably tighter.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, backed by outgoing Governor Tony Evers, held a narrow lead over progressive state Representative Francesca Hong, with roughly 41 percent to Hong's 37 percent as counting continued.
Michael Alfonso has also won the Republican nomination for the US House in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District.
Vermont race remains tight
Vermont's Democratic gubernatorial primary was also too close for a decisive early call, with Amanda Janoo holding a narrow advantage over Aly Richards, about 49 percent to 46 percent.
The eventual nominee is expected to face Republican Governor Phil Scott in November.
In South Carolina, the special Republican Senate primary triggered by the death of longtime Senator Lindsey Graham was headed for a runoff.
Darline Graham, the late senator's sister and interim replacement, and Representative Ralph Norman advanced from the Republican field after neither secured enough support to win outright.
Graham had received the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
The eventual Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
Some races remained uncalled or provisional early Wednesday, so exact final certified percentages could shift slightly.
Earlier primaries deliver progressive win
The latest contests follow another round of primaries on August 4 that produced one of the most significant progressive victories of the election cycle.
In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated Representative Haley Stevens for the Democratic Senate nomination, winning by roughly one percentage point.
He will face Republican Mike Rogers in November in a race for the open seat.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson easily secured the Democratic nomination for governor, while Republican Representative John James emerged from his party's primary.
In Kansas, Republican Senator Roger Marshall comfortably won renomination with about 80 percent of the vote.
Taken together, the August contests have offered mixed signals about the direction of the two major parties.
Progressive Democrats have recorded a major victory in Michigan and strong showings in Connecticut and Wisconsin, while prominent establishment candidates including Lamont and Klobuchar have remained dominant elsewhere.
Trump-backed Republicans have also continued to perform strongly in several contests, including Tiffany's overwhelming Wisconsin victory.
The results are beginning to sharpen the November election map, with open governorships in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Senate contests in Michigan and Minnesota, and competitive congressional races among those likely to draw national attention.
