Primary results set stage for key House battleground races
8 reported1 unconfirmed
According to NBC News, primary elections held Tuesday in several states have set the stage for competitive House races that could determine control of Congress in the fall. In Iowa, Democratic former state Rep. Christina Bohannan will face GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for the third consecutive election in the southeastern part of the state, following a 2024 race decided by a few hundred votes. Democratic state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott and GOP Rep. Zach Nunn were unopposed in their primaries ahead of a major clash in the 3rd District. In New Jersey, Democrats selected Rebecca Bennett, a healthcare executive and former Navy helicopter pilot, as their nominee to challenge GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in the battleground 7th District. California’s top-two primary system produced several key matchups, including Trump-backed Jim Desmond advancing alongside Democratic San Diego City Council member Marni von Wilpert in the 48th District. The article notes that California’s 40th District features a member-on-member primary between Reps. Young Kim and Ken Calvert, with Calvert projected to move onto the general election. In Montana’s 1st District, Trump-backed Aaron Flint is projected to win the GOP primary, while Sam Forstag, a firefighter backed by progressive figures, emerged from a closer Democratic race.
What’s reported
Democratic former state Rep. Christina Bohannan will face GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for the third consecutive election in Iowa’s southeastern district.
Democratic state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott and GOP Rep. Zach Nunn were unopposed in their primaries for Iowa’s 3rd District.
In New Jersey, Democrats selected Rebecca Bennett as their nominee to take on GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in the 7th District.
In California’s 48th District, Trump-backed Jim Desmond is projected to advance alongside Democratic San Diego City Council member Marni von Wilpert.
California’s 40th District features a member-on-member primary between Reps. Young Kim and Ken Calvert, with Calvert projected to move onto the general election.
In Montana’s 1st District, Trump-backed Aaron Flint is projected to win the GOP primary, while Sam Forstag emerged from a closer Democratic race.
California’s 1st District has a special election after the death of Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, with James Gallagher projected to win outright.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s retirement sparked a competitive three-way Democratic battle in California’s 11th District, with state Sen. Scott Weiner and San Francisco County Supervisor Connie Chan advancing.
Open questions
The article does not specify the final vote margins or turnout for any of the primary races. It also does not clarify whether both Reps. Young Kim and Ken Calvert will advance to the general election in California’s 40th District or if a Democrat will take one of the two spots.
Key figures
Christina Bohannan (Democratic former state representative, Iowa)
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican incumbent, Iowa)
Sarah Trone Garriott (Democratic state senator, Iowa)
Zach Nunn (Republican incumbent, Iowa)
Rebecca Bennett (Democratic nominee, New Jersey 7th District)
Tom Kean Jr. (Republican incumbent, New Jersey)
Jim Desmond (Trump-backed candidate, California 48th District)
Marni von Wilpert (Democratic San Diego City Council member)
Young Kim (Republican incumbent, California)
Ken Calvert (Republican incumbent, California)
Aaron Flint (Trump-backed candidate, Montana)
Sam Forstag (Democratic candidate, Montana)
Doug LaMalfa (deceased Republican representative, California)
James Gallagher (Republican candidate, California)
Nancy Pelosi (former House Speaker, retired)
Scott Weiner (state senator, California)
Connie Chan (San Francisco County Supervisor, California)
Sources: NBC News
