Connecticut primary: Jahana Hayes moves one step closer to becoming state's first black Democrat in Congress
The governor's race is considered wide open, with Republicans not having held the office since 2010
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Your support makes all the difference.The biggest race in Connecticut was supposed to be the governor's race - but an ex-teacher has stolen the headlines by moving one step closer to becoming the state's first black Democrat in Congress.
In western Connecticut's 5th congressional district, Ex-Teacher of Year Jahana Hayes has won Democrat nod for the Connecticut House seat left by Democrat Representative Elizabeth Esty is not seeking re-election to the House.
Businessman Ned Lamont has defeated Bridgeport major, and ex-convict, Joe Ganim. Mr Lamont's victory comes 12 years after he defeated US Senator Joe Lieberman in a Democratic showdown, only to lose the general election when Mr Lieberman ran as an independent. That race was seen as part of a national referendum on the Iraq War.
However, Republicans believe they have a good chance of winning the governor's seat back after losing control in 2010. Control of the narrowly divided General Assembly is also in play, especially the state Senate, now equally split between Democrats and Republicans.
For the GOP, it was David Stemerman, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, the party's endorsed candidate; Tim Herbst; Madison businessman Bob Stefanowski; and Westport tech entrepreneur and former US Navy officer Steve Obsitnik. Mr Stefanowski eventually won through.
Small-business owner Matthew Corey has won the Republican nomination for US Senate in Connecticut and will face an uphill battle against Democratic Senator Chris Murphy.
In Tuesday's primary the Manchester Republican defeated Dominic Rapini, a national accounts manager for Apple computers.
Mr Corey is a US Navy veteran and owner of a Hartford pub and a window-washing business. As of the end of July, Mr Corey had raised about $31,000 in campaign funds compared with nearly $13.5 million for Mr Murphy.
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Democrat Erin Murphy, running in Minnesota's gubernatorial primary, has cast her vote as primary day is underway.
Ms Murphy, a registered nurse, has unveiled her single-payer healthcare pathway for Minnesota as part of her platform. She has received an endorsement from the state Democratic Party.
Jahana Hayes, running in Connecticut's 5th Congressional district Democratic primary, would become the state's first black Democrat in Congress should she win, the New York Times reports.
Ms Hayes was previously honoured at a 2016 White House ceremony by former President Barack Obama as "Teacher of the Year".
Newcomer Folasade Adeluola, challenging Bernie Sanders in his re-election bid, claimed Mr Sanders has "divided the Democratic Party" in an interview with NBC.
US Vice President Mike Pence has called Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker "one of the best governors in America".
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, who was appointed amid Al Franken's resignation after sexual misconduct accusations, has tweeted that her campaign has proven to have been "people-powered".
Wisconsin GOP candidate state Sen. Leah Vukmir has tweeted her opposition to Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin's support of Sen. Bernie Sanders' "Medicare-for-all" bill.
Ms Vukmir called Ms Baldwin "Taxin' [Tammy Baldwin] on Twitter.
Wisconsin Democratic congressional candidate Randy Bryce, vying for Paul Ryan's seat, boasts endorsement by Social Security Works on Twitter.
Democratic governor candidate Kelda Roys in Wisconsin has visited the Harley-Davidson headquarters to call out Donald Trump's support of a boycott for the Wisconsin-based manufacturer.
Democrats are fighting to beat back Republican gains across the Midwest as the 2018 primary season roars through Wisconsin and Minnesota, two states where President Donald Trump's appeal among working-class voters threatens to upend decadeslong political trends this fall and beyond.
Tuesday's primary contests for governor, the US Senate and the House will measure the strength of Trump's fiery coalition against the energy of the Democratic resistance.
All but 10 states will have picked their candidates for November's general election by the time all votes are counted in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont and Connecticut. While the full political battlefield isn't quite set, the stakes are clear: Democrats are working to topple Republican control of Congress and governors' offices across the nation.
Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, who leads the Democratic Governors Association, predicted that Tuesday would offer fresh evidence of a blue wave that would sweep Democrats into power this November.
"Trump has managed to alienate every form of human life on the planet," Mr Inslee told The Associated Press when asked about his party's appeal among white working-class voters. "They're tired of this chaos."
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