Trump Endorsements Yield Mixed Results in Republican Primaries Across US States

President Donald Trump's endorsements produced mixed results in Tuesday's Republican primaries, with his preferred candidates losing one key race, advancing to a runoff in another and securing nominations in Wisconsin. The contrasting outcomes in Minnesota, South Carolina and Wisconsin offered a fresh test of Trump's influence within the Republican Party, showing that his backing can be decisive but does not always overcome established local candidates, party support and campaign organisation.

Demuth defeats Trump-backed Lindell in Minnesota

NBC News projected Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth as the winner of the Republican gubernatorial primary, putting Trump-backed candidate Mike Lindell behind less than a month after Trump formally endorsed the MyPillow founder. Trump endorsed Lindell on July 15, calling him one of America's “greatest and most hard working Patriots” and giving him his “Complete and Total Endorsement”. He later urged Minnesota voters to “Vote for Mike Lindell for Governor” and returned to the race on primary day, saying Lindell “deserves a BIG WIN.”

Lindell competed against two Republicans with established support within the state party. Kendall Qualls secured the Minnesota Republican Party endorsement after 10 rounds of voting at its May convention, while Demuth, the state House speaker, won backing from several Republican elected officials. Demuth had initially pledged to honour the convention endorsement but remained in the race after problems with the voting system disrupted the convention. Republican state chairman Alex Plechash later released candidates from their commitment to follow the convention result. Lindell's electability had also become an issue during the campaign. News agency Associated Press reported that Plechash had questioned his prospects in a general election, while some Republican voters expressed concern that his controversies could make it harder for the party to win in November. Demuth is expected to face Democratic US Sen Amy Klobuchar, who won her party's gubernatorial primary after defeating six challengers. Klobuchar entered the race after Democratic Gov Tim Walz decided not to seek another term. Minnesota Republicans last won a statewide office in 2006. Republicans also nominated former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya for the US Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen Tina Smith. Tafoya defeated a crowded field that included former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze and Royce White, the party's 2024 Senate nominee.

Trump-backed Darline Graham heads to runoff

In South Carolina, Trump's endorsement helped Darline Graham finish first in a 10-candidate Republican Senate primary, but she fell short of the majority needed to secure the nomination.

With about 80% of the vote counted, Graham had 32.6% against US Rep Ralph Norman's 24%, according to Reuters. The two will meet in an August 25 runoff. Trump's involvement in Graham's candidacy began before she formally entered the race. On July 13, he recommended Lindsey Graham's sister to South Carolina Gov Henry McMaster for an interim Senate appointment. McMaster appointed her later that day to fill the vacancy created by her brother's death. Four days later, after meeting Graham at the White House, Trump urged her to run for the full term and gave her his “Complete and Total Endorsement”, ending his appeal with “RUN, DARLINE, RUN!” Eight candidates were eliminated in the primary, including US Rep Russell Fry, former governor Mark Sanford and businessman Mark Lynch. Graham entered the race without previous elected experience, while Norman and other rivals had established campaign operations. Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus who has represented South Carolina's 5th District since 2017, has also aligned himself with Trump's “America First” agenda. The winner of the August 25 runoff will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November.

Trump-backed candidates score wins in Wisconsin

Wisconsin delivered the strongest results for Trump's endorsed candidates. US Rep Tom Tiffany won the Republican gubernatorial nomination, defeating Andy Manske and advancing to the November election. Democratic Gov Tony Evers is not seeking another term. Trump endorsed Tiffany in January.

Tiffany's move to the governor's race created an opening in Wisconsin's Republican-leaning 7th Congressional District. Michael Alfonso, 26, won the Republican primary in a five-way contest after receiving Trump's endorsement and support from US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Alfonso is married to Duffy's daughter. Duffy represented the district before leaving Congress in 2019. Trump also joined a telephone rally for Alfonso ahead of the primary.

Republican Rep Derrick Van Orden advanced without a primary challenger in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District after receiving Trump's endorsement for re-election in April 2025.

Democrat Rebecca Cooke won her party's primary and will face Van Orden again after narrowly losing their 2024 contest. Democrats are targeting the district as they seek to gain seats in the House in November.

Scott advances in Vermont

In Vermont, Republican Gov Phil Scott advanced unopposed as he seeks a sixth two-year term. Scott won 73% of the vote in his 2024 re-election.

Lamont, Fazio set for Connecticut governor race

In Connecticut, Republican state Sen Ryan Fazio had already secured his party's gubernatorial nomination before Tuesday's primary. He won 92% of delegates at the Republican convention on May 16, while Betsy McCaughey failed to reach the 15% threshold required to qualify for the primary. Democratic Gov Ned Lamont won his party's primary on Tuesday, setting up a Lamont-Fazio contest in November.