Ilhan Omar competes for another term, Wisconsin Senate showdown looms: Tuesday primary races to watch

Voters are casting their ballots in House and Senate primaries in four states on Tuesday, including in one contest that will determine Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar's political fate.

All eyes are on Omar's reelection bid because she's a member of the House's progressive "Squad," and two lawmakers in the informal group lost their primaries to more moderate Democrats this year as the party has split over U.S. support for Israel.

But there are more races up for grabs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Vermont on Tuesday as election season heats up.

Some of this week's most competitive primaries will likely take place in Wisconsin. Voters in parts of the Badger State will decide which Democrat challenges Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in the general election and have their say in an expensive GOP battle over the state's 8th District.

Here’s a look at some of the key races to watch across the country.

Minnesota

Former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels is challenging Omar in Minnesota's 5th District. She beat him in a close primary two years ago, but they're facing off again.

Samuels has argued that Omar, one of Congress' most vocal critics of Israel's government, is too divisive for the district. It's not clear whether she can pull off another victory after two other members of the House's Squad – Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush – lost their primary contests earlier this summer.

Still, Omar has far outraised Samuels and spent significantly more on advertising in her district. And some of the pro-Israel groups that spent money against Bowman and Bush, who have also criticized Israeli leaders, aren't getting involved in Omar's race. It could make the difference for the Minnesota Democrat.

Omar's isn't the only primary contest that's caught attention. As Republicans and Democrats fight for control of the House this fall, the battle for Minnesota's 2nd District could be pivotal. Rep. Angie Craig, who represents the area, is seeking another term in office, and her home base is considered one of the most competitive districts in the state.

Republican voters will technically have two choices in the district's GOP primary, but one of the candidates, attorney Tayler Rahm, dropped out to serve as a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump's campaign. Former Marine and prosecutor Joe Teirab is also on the ballot and still in the race − and he's got Trump's endorsement.

Democrat Kelly Morrison and Republican Tad Jude are each running unopposed in their party primaries for the 3rd District.

Wisconsin

Three Democrats are running to compete against Van Orden, who currently represents Wisconsin's 3rd District in the House. State Rep. Katrina Shankland, small business owner Rebecca Cooke, and Eau Claire County Democrats member Eric Wilson are on the ballot. Shankland and Cooke, who have raised substantially more campaign funds than Wilson, have traded attacks in the runup to Tuesday's primary over their records, fundraising and more.

Republican voters in the state's 8th District have the unusual task of deciding in two separate races who will finish Rep. Mike Gallagher’s uncompleted term and serve a full term starting in January. They're choosing among State Sen. André Jacque, former state Sen. Roger Roth and businessman Tony Wied for both slots.

GOP voters across the state will also choose who will face Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in November. Businessman Eric Hovde is the frontrunner, but he will need to first defeat farmer and Santa Claus impersonator Charles Barman and chair of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College Republicans Rejani Raveendran Tuesday for Wisconsin's Senate showdown to officially be set.

Connecticut

Tea Party activist Bob MacGuffie and doctor Michael Goldstein are competing in the Republican primary in Connecticut's 4th District to challenge Democratic Rep. Jim Himes this fall. Himes' seat is generally considered safe as he seeks another term in office.

The state's Republican voters will also have a choice between Matt Corey, a Navy veteran and business owner, and Gerry Smith, a Beacon Falls first selectman, to challenge Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy in the general election. Murphy is also expected to fend off his Republican challenger this fall as he seeks another 6-year term in the upper chamber.

Republican and former Connecticut state Sen. George Logan and Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes are each running unopposed in their primaries and are likely to face off in a battle to represent the 5th District this November.

Vermont

Sen. Bernie Sanders, 82, is looking to secure a fourth Senate term and is running unopposed in his independent primary in the Green Mountain State. In November, he'll likely face Republican Gerald Malloy, who is also doesn't have a competitor in his party's contest.

Rep. Becca Balint who represents Vermont's at-large district in the House, will likely face Republican candidate Mark Coester in the general election. He's also running unopposed in his primary this week.

Democrats are favored to win this fall in the reliably blue state.

Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @rachelbarber_