Democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeated longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in a Denver-area primary, while Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser beat Sen. Michael Bennet for the Democratic nomination for governor. Democrats also nominated Manny Rutinel to challenge Republican Rep. Gabe Evans in a competitive, heavily Latino House district.
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Primaries in four states will test the influence of Zohran Mamdani, Donald Trump and major outside groups. Key races include several New York House contests, South Carolina’s GOP governor runoff and open seats in Maryland and Utah.
Graham Platner won Maine’s Democratic Senate primary and will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race central to the fight for Senate control. Platner enters the general election with progressive backing and multiple controversies over past conduct.
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo and Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford won their Nevada primaries, launching a toss-up general election fight. Democrats are targeting Lombardo over Trump-linked economic issues, while Republicans are emphasizing jobs, housing and attacks on Ford’s record.
Primaries in Maine, South Carolina, Nevada and North Dakota will set key Senate, governor and House matchups. Maine Democrat Graham Platner is expected to win his Senate primary despite a series of controversies.
Republican Steve Hilton led California’s crowded governor primary with nearly 60% of ballots counted, while Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer competed for the second runoff spot. Primaries in New Jersey, Iowa, New Mexico and other states also set up key 2026 midterm races.
California’s crowded governor primary remained unresolved, with Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton leading as votes were counted. Primaries in Iowa, New Jersey, New Mexico, Montana and South Dakota also set key November matchups.
Zach Lahn defeated Trump-backed Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa’s Republican primary for governor, setting up a general election against Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand. The upset marked the first primary loss this cycle for a Trump-backed candidate for governor, House or Senate.