TV Ads Still Rule the Wisconsin and Minnesota Primaries

TV advertising remains a key driver in Tuesday’s primaries: Minnesota’s GOP governor winner Lisa Demuth built a big advantage with heavy TV/radio spending and outsized outside buys, while Trump-backed Mike Lindell lost after the campaign spent virtually nothing on TV; in Wisconsin, Democratic hopeful Francesca Hong underperformed despite early polling leads as rivals backed by outside groups poured about $3.3 million into TV campaigns for David Crowley. The pattern tracks a turnout/education split—progressives faring better in higher-education counties, moderates in others—while Wisconsin’s primary rules mean costly, non-automatic recounts could factor if margins stay razor-thin. Democrats are planning unity efforts to heal after a volatile night ahead of November, with Hong and Crowley now navigating a tight race and broader endorsement dynamics.