Primary day is here once again, and several races across the country could have significant implications. From the Upper Midwest to the Pacific Northwest, voters will be casting their ballots and shaping the political landscape.
In Michigan, both Democrats and Republicans are vying to replace long-serving Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), who has held her seat for nearly 25 years. With competitive races in key districts, the outcome of these primaries will set the stage for the highly anticipated general election in November.
Meanwhile, in Missouri, crucial statewide elections are taking place, with voters in St. Louis faced with a decision regarding the fate of Representative Cori Bush (D-Mo.). Bush’s criticism of Israel has drawn comparisons to the primary loss suffered by Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.).
Washington State is also hosting several competitive races, including a few that will test the influence of endorsements, particularly those from former President Donald Trump.
In the Democratic primary on August 6, incumbent Representative Elissa Slotkin will face actor Hill Harper, who has managed to raise over $2.8 million for his campaign.
On the Republican side, the field is more crowded and includes candidates like Matt Collier, the former mayor of Flint, Michigan; Pamela Pugh, the president of the Michigan Board of Education; and state Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet.
Cori Bush, who made waves by unseating longtime Democrat Lacy Clay in 2020, is facing a tough primary challenge from Wesley Bell, the prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County.
Missouri voters will also be narrowing down the field for several important positions, including Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney General. Notably, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and State Treasurer Vivek Malek are the only incumbents in these races.
One of the most closely watched down-ballot races is taking place within the Republican party, as incumbent Attorney General Bailey faces off against challenger Will Scharf. Scharf, who previously worked on the legal team for Donald Trump, enjoys the support of conservative activists like Leonard Leo and wealthy GOP megadonor Paul Singer. Meanwhile, Bailey has garnered endorsements from local power players, such as Missouri megadonor Rex Sinquefield.
In Washington State, the race for the congressional seat is heating up, with the incumbent, Gluesenkamp Perez, being challenged by former U.S. Army officer Joe Kent, who enjoys the backing of Donald Trump. Republican candidate Leslie Lewallen, a Camas City Councillor, is also vying for the seat, and John Saulie-Rohman is running as an independent.
In 2022, Gluesenkamp Perez narrowly defeated Kent, securing a victory by a margin of 0.8 percent. While polling data for the current race has not been published, Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner is leading the fundraising efforts among the Republican candidates with $790,000 in receipts. It’s worth noting that the district has traditionally leaned Democratic, but Republican state Senator Drew MacEwen managed to flip a Democratic-held seat in 2022. Non-profit founder Janis Clark is another Republican competing for the congressional seat. Overall, the district leans Democratic according to Cook’s analysis, but if MacEwen manages to advance to the general election, it could set up a Democrat vs. Republican campaign.
The primary races being held today will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in these key battleground states. America will be watching closely as voters decide on the candidates who will compete in the upcoming general election in November.