Six States Hold Primaries With Key Races in California, New Jersey, New Mexico
4 verified7 unconfirmed
Voters in six states went to the polls on June 2 for primary elections, with key contests in California, New Jersey, and New Mexico. In California, Democrats redrew the state’s congressional map after voter approval of Proposition 50, aiming to gain five House seats to counter Republican redistricting in Texas. The state’s top-two primary system means the leading two candidates from any party advance to the general election. In New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, four Democrats are competing to challenge Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr., who has been absent from Congress since early March due to an unspecified medical issue. New Mexico voters are selecting party nominees for governor, with the general election winner expected to inherit a budget surplus driven by oil revenues. Other states holding primaries include Iowa, Montana, and South Dakota.
What’s verified
Six states held primary elections on June 2, 2026: California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota, and New Mexico.
California voters approved Proposition 50, allowing Democrats to temporarily suspend the independent redistricting commission and redraw the congressional map to counter Republican redistricting in Texas.
California’s primary system advances the top two vote-getters to the general election regardless of party.
In New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, four Democrats are competing for the nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who has been absent from Congress since early March due to an unspecified medical issue.
Not yet confirmed
The California governor’s race includes former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer as leading Democrats, with Republican Steve Hilton also polling closely, according to a single report.
Iowa’s Republican gubernatorial primary features five candidates, including Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra, but a candidate must win 35% of the vote to avoid a convention, per one source.
In Montana, independent Seth Bodnar is outraising major-party candidates for an open Senate seat, though his ballot signatures have not been certified, according to one report.
Specific candidates and details for several California congressional races, including a special election for former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s seat on June 18, come from a single source.
In New Jersey, the four Democratic candidates in the 7th District are Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Tina Shah, and Brian Varela; Bennett has been attacked by a PAC, per one report.
New Mexico’s Democratic gubernatorial primary features Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman, while Republican candidates include Gregg Hull, Duke Rodriguez, and Doug Turner, according to a single source.
Questions remain about the specifics of Rep. Kean’s medical issue, as no source provides further details.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Tom Kean Jr., Republican U.S. Representative from New Jersey
Sources: NPR, abcnews.com
