Trump’s endorsement will be tested as Wisconsin voters decide key primaries

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The power of an endosement by former President Donald Trump in battleground Wisconsin will be tested in a race for an open congressional seat in Tuesday’s primary, when voters also will officially set the field for the state’s closely watched U.S. Senate race.

Voters will choose a Democratic candidate to take on a first-term Republican who captured a western Wisconsin congressional district after a generation under Democratic control. Two constitutional amendments passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would take power away from the governor also are on the ballot.

The election is the state’s first under new legislative maps more favorable to Democrats.

Here is what to know:

Senate race

The Senate seat currently held by Sen. Tammy Baldwin is seen as a must-win for Democrats if they hope to maintain majority control.

Republican millionaire banker Eric Hovde has dominated the GOP race, pouring $13 million of his own money into the race in just four months, and faces nominal opposition in his quest to defeat two-term incumbent Baldwin.

Hovde’s primary opponents, including chicken and pig farmer Charles Barman and chair of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College Republicans Rejani Raveendran, have raised next-to-nothing for the race and had almost no public campaign.

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«RELATED COVERAGE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> RELATED COVERAGE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Wisconsin’s state primaries </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline