Primaries bring big losses for incumbent GOP state lawmakers

The Idaho House of Representative is seen in session on March 14, 2022, at the Statehouse in Boise, Idaho. More Republican state lawmakers are losing their primaries this year than in any other election over the past decade, dispatched by far-right challengers who say the incumbents are not conservative enough. Next up is Wisconsin, where both Republican legislative leaders are among several incumbents facing primary challenges. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler, File)

As Wisconsin’s longest-serving Assembly speaker, Republican Robin Vos has presided over efforts to restrict abortions, weaken unions, expand gun rights and push back against COVID-19 mandates. Despite that, he’s facing a primary challenger who claims he’s not conservative enough.

The challenger’s argument: Vos should do more to respond to former President Donald Trump’s unfounded allegations of fraud in the 2020 election.

Primary challengers like the one facing Vos next Tuesday have been successfully targeting incumbent state lawmakers across the country, and Republicans are taking the brunt of it.