Six States Hold Primary Elections, Setting Up Key November Battles
9 verified3 unconfirmed2 contested
Voters in six states headed to the polls Tuesday for primary elections that will shape the November midterm contests. The most watched race is California’s open governor seat, where term limits prevent Gavin Newsom from seeking re-election. California operates a top-two primary system, meaning all candidates run on the same ballot and the two highest vote-getters advance regardless of party. The California governor contest has narrowed to a three-way race between Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer and Republican Steve Hilton, after former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out following sexual misconduct allegations. In Iowa, both the governor and Senate races are competitive, with Kim Reynolds not seeking a third term and Republicans selecting a nominee who must reach 35% of the vote or face a convention. Montana features an open Senate seat and an open House seat, while New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District primary is drawing attention due to the extended absence of incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Political parties in several states have taken unusually active roles in primaries this year, endorsing candidates and publicly criticizing incumbents.
What’s verified
Six states held primary elections on June 2: California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited, making this the first open race for the office in years.
California’s primary uses a top-two system where all candidates appear on the same ballot and the top two finishers, regardless of party, advance to the general election.
The California governor race features three leading candidates: Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer, and Republican Steve Hilton.
Former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out of the California governor race after facing sexual misconduct allegations.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is not seeking re-election, creating an open race.
The Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary includes Rep. Randy Feenstra, who is endorsed by President Trump.
If no Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidate receives at least 35% of the primary vote, the nominee will be chosen at a party convention.
Montana has both an open Senate seat and an open House seat after incumbents Steve Daines and Ryan Zinke decided not to seek re-election.
Where accounts differ
The amount billionaire Tom Steyer has spent on his California governor campaign varies: one source reports more than $213 million, while another reports more than $215 million.
One source states that Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand is unopposed in the primary, while another says Democrats “coalesced around” him, without specifying whether he faces primary opponents.
Not yet confirmed
The exact reason for New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr.’s extended absence is reported as “unspecified medical issues” by one source, while another source describes it as having “disappeared from the public eye for months” without mentioning a medical cause.
Whether Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst is not seeking re-election is stated in one source but not confirmed by others.
Details about the specific endorsements and funding sources for several lower-profile House primaries are reported by only one source each.
Key figures
Gavin Newsom – outgoing California governor
Xavier Becerra – Democratic candidate for California governor
Tom Steyer – Democratic candidate for California governor
Steve Hilton – Republican candidate for California governor
Eric Swalwell – former Democratic candidate for California governor
Kim Reynolds – outgoing Iowa governor
Randy Feenstra – Republican candidate for Iowa governor
Rob Sand – Democratic candidate for Iowa governor
Ashley Hinson – Republican candidate for Iowa Senate
Steve Daines – outgoing Montana senator
Ryan Zinke – outgoing Montana House member
Tom Kean Jr. – Republican incumbent in New Jersey’s 7th District
Sources: NPR, NBC News, today.com
