Progressives in Midwest Primaries, Trump and Iran Stalemate, Columbia Earthquake

August 11, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The self-described democratic socialist shaking up the Wisconsin governor's race is Francesca Hong, a state representative who came out of the restaurant industry and is running a grassroots, volunteer-driven campaign featuring dance parties, cookouts, and live streams. But she has also said controversial things in the past, including calling to defund the police and abolish prisons—positions she has moderated more recently. Many Democrats worry she cannot win a general election in a state where statewide races hinge on a few thousand moderate and independent voters.

That worry has prompted Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley to re-enter the race after briefly dropping out, this time with a coveted endorsement from outgoing Governor Tony Evers. That endorsement has helped Crowley raise a significant amount of money in just a few weeks. The Democratic primary in Wisconsin is the state's most watched race, but a similar dynamic is playing out next door in Minnesota.

Progressives vs. Centrists in Minnesota and South Carolina

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What you'll learn

1 (02:08) **Primary Day in Six States** - Overview of key races where Democrats are choosing between progressive and centrist candidates, with Trump endorsements shaping several Republican contests.
2 (02:49) **Wisconsin Governor Race: Progressive vs. Moderate** - Self-described democratic socialist Francesca Hong challenges the Democratic establishment.
3 (04:17) **Minnesota Senate Primary: Progressive vs. Centrist** - Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan faces Representative Angie Craig in a race highlighting policy divides.
4 (05:11) **South Carolina Senate Primary: Trump-Backed Candidate in Crowded Field** - Darlene Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, competes to keep the Senate seat.
5 (05:41) **Trump-Iran Stalemate: Public Spat Over Reparations** - Trump demands Iran pay reparations for decades of damage, leading Iran to rule out further negotiations.
6 (07:18) **Trump’s Unrealistic Claims on Strait of Hormuz** - Trump falsely claims the U.S. has an infallible blockade controlling the strait.
7 (09:00) **Setback for Peace Process with Israel and Hamas** - Trump’s touted deal for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza has been rejected by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

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Guests on this episode

Francesca Hong David Crowley Tony Evers Peggy Flanagan Angie Craig Mike Lindell Lisa Damuth

Show Notes

A self-described democratic socialist is shaking up the race for Wisconsin governor and a progressive is up against a moderate in Minnesota. How much of an appetite do voters have for non-mainstream candidates going into the midterm elections? Primary races in six states today will offer clues. And Iran’s demand for war reparations has prompted President Trump to make a reparation demand of his own. Can Trump afford a stalemate that will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed? Plus the view from Colombia, where rescue workers and volunteers are digging through rubble for survivors of a major earthquake.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Olivia Hampton, Arezou Rezvani, Larry Kaplow, Rebecca Metzler and Miguel Macias.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Milton Guevara.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Zac Coleman.

And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

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(0:00) Introduction
(01:58) Progressives in Midwest Primaries
(05:29) Trump and Iran Stalemate
(09:37) Columbia Earthquake

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