Voters in six US states — Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, South Dakota and California — are casting ballots in primary elections that will set the stage for November's crucial midterm contests. Tuesday marks one of the busiest primary days of the year, with candidates for at least 74 House seats on the line.
The outcomes could shape the political landscape for the remainder of President Donald Trump's second term, as frontrunners emerge for the midterms. At stake is control of Congress, with all 435 House seats and roughly one-third of Senate seats up for grabs. Democrats aim to win majorities in both chambers and wrest control from Republicans.
One of the most closely watched races is in Iowa, where Republican Senator Joni Ernst is retiring after more than a decade. Democrats see an opportunity to flip the seat, with State Representative Josh Turek and State Senator Zach Wahls vying for the nomination. Republicans are rallying behind US Representative Ashley Hinson, a Trump loyalist.
In New Jersey, incumbent Congressman Tom Kean Jr. faces vulnerability after missing over 100 House votes, citing a personal medical issue. Democrats hope to capitalize with former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett leading the primary field. The state's 7th district is seen as a potential pickup.
Montana's Senate race took an unexpected turn when incumbent Steve Daines withdrew days before the primary deadline, allegedly to clear the path for Trump-endorsed Kurt Alme. Five Democrats are competing for the nomination, while independent candidate Seth Bodnar bypasses the primary entirely, advancing directly to November.
New Mexico's gubernatorial race features former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who seeks the Democratic nomination. If elected in November, she would become the first Indigenous woman to serve as a US governor. The state also holds primaries for congressional seats and statewide offices.
California, the most populous state, holds primaries for 52 House races, though most are uncompetitive due to redistricting. The governor's race draws 61 candidates, including former cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra and Fox News personality Steve Hilton. In Los Angeles, reality TV star Spencer Pratt has launched a surprisingly competitive mayoral bid against incumbent Karen Bass, leveraging local anger over wildfires and homelessness.
Source: www.aljazeera.com