Five states hold primaries shaping control of Congress

Voters in five states headed to the polls Tuesday in primaries that will test the strength of progressive and establishment candidates, Donald Trump’s influence in Republican races and the early contours of the fight for control of Congress.

Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia and Washington are holding contests, with closely watched races for Senate, governor and the House. Democrats are defending key seats and trying to position themselves to regain power in Washington, while Republicans are sorting through competitive primaries in several battleground districts.

The most prominent race is in Michigan, where Democrats are choosing a nominee for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Abdul El-Sayed, a 41-year-old progressive former Detroit public health official, faces Rep. Haley Stevens, a 43-year-old moderate backed by party leaders. The winner will face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who is unopposed in the GOP primary and narrowly lost Michigan’s other Senate race to Sen. Elissa Slotkin in 2024.

El-Sayed has led in recent polls and is backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Stevens, who has served in the House since 2019, has support from national Democrats and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. More than $40 million in outside spending has flowed into the race to support Stevens or attack El-Sayed, The Guardian reported, including from groups associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobby.

El-Sayed told CBS News the Democratic Party has lost focus on basic needs. “We need good housing. We need good schools. We need healthcare,” he said. Stevens said El-Sayed was using the race as a stepping stone. “This is six years of hard, unglamorous work that I’m signing up for. I’m Michigan’s workhorse,” she said.

Michigan also has an open governor’s race because Whitmer is term-limited. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson faces Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary, while Rep. John James, endorsed by Trump, faces businessman Perry Johnson in the Republican contest. James has led in polls, though Johnson has shown momentum, The Guardian reported.

Several House races in Michigan are also drawing attention. In Detroit’s 13th District, Rep. Shri Thanedar faces state Rep. Donavan McKinney, a progressive endorsed by Sanders and Rep. Rashida Tlaib. In the Lansing-area 7th District, Democrats are choosing a nominee to challenge Republican Rep. Tom Barrett in a seat expected to be important in November.

In Missouri, Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush are meeting again in the safely Democratic 1st District, which includes St. Louis. Bell defeated Bush two years ago. Their rematch has centered partly on U.S. military aid to Israel and the war in Gaza: Bush has said she would vote to cut off military aid for Israel, while Bell has opposed such moves. Bell is backed by Democratic leaders including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Bush is supported by the Democratic Socialists of America. Al Jazeera, citing the Associated Press, reported that AIPAC’s political arm spent about $3.1 million in July backing Bell and opposing Bush.

Virginia is holding primaries after its election date was pushed from June to August during a Democratic redistricting effort that the state Supreme Court later struck down. Voters will use maps drafted by a nonpartisan commission in 2021. Democrats are targeting several House districts, including the Virginia Beach-area 2nd District, where former Rep. Elaine Luria is among Democrats seeking to challenge Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans. Republicans are targeting Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman in the 7th District.

Kansas voters are choosing nominees in an open governor’s race to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Trump has endorsed Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson in a crowded Republican primary, while Democrats include state Sens. Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher and Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog. Kansas also has a Democratic primary challenge to Rep. Sharice Davids in the competitive 3rd District.

In Washington, the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party. In the 3rd District, Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is seeking reelection amid challengers from both parties. In the Seattle area, longtime Democratic Rep. Adam Smith faces several challengers, including former Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant, a socialist.