Trump-Backed Mike Lindell Loses Minnesota Primary, Dealing Setback to Trump

Donald Trump's endorsement was supposed to give Mike Lindell a final push in Minnesota.

It didn't. The MyPillow founder and staunch Trump ally lost the Republican gubernatorial primary to state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, delivering a notable setback to the US President's endorsement record.

Trump had thrown his weight behind Lindell just hours before polls closed, writing on Truth Social that he “deserves a BIG WIN IN MINNESOTA today.” But voters went with Demuth, who campaigned on her legislative record and experience.

Demuth will now face Democratic candidate and current US Senator Amy Klobuchar in November.

The Minnesota result was one of several closely watched Republican contests across the US on Tuesday.

What happened in South Carolina?

The Republican primary for South Carolina's vacant Senate seat is headed for a runoff on August 25, with Trump-backed Darline Graham and Representative Ralph Norman advancing.

Graham, who is seeking to complete the term of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, thanked Trump for his “steadfast support” and endorsement after making the runoff.

Trump subsequently reaffirmed his support, telling reporters that he thought Graham was “great”.

What else happened?

In Minnesota's Democratic Senate primary, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan defeated Representative Angie Craig and will contest the seat being vacated by Senator Tina Smith.

And in neighbouring Wisconsin, the Democratic gubernatorial primary remained extremely tight, with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley holding a razor-thin lead over democratic socialist state Assemblymember Francesca Hong as votes continued to be counted.

But the headline from Minnesota was unmistakable: Trump backed Lindell. Minnesota voters backed Demuth.

(With inputs from ANI)