The Latest: Progressives challenge establishment in Democratic primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota

Progressive candidates are stepping up their efforts in key Democratic primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota ahead of the upcoming elections. In Wisconsin, Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, is vying for the governor's seat in a four-way primary. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, voters will choose between moderate U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary.

The stakes are high, as both races come in the wake of Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement surge. Iran has threatened to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the U.S. lifts its blockade, pays compensation for war damage, lifts economic sanctions, and releases Iran's frozen assets. This blockade, which controls roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies, has become a major factor in U.S. politics as the midterm elections approach.

In Wisconsin, Hong's top opponent, endorsed by popular Governor Tony Evers, is Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. The Republican Governors Association has spent nearly $3.6 million on ads contrasting Hong with Trump and highlighting her liberal proposals. The immigration crackdown under Trump looms large in Minnesota's Senate primary, with establishment-backed U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan representing two sides of the political spectrum.