Six US states hold primaries on Tuesday as voters head to the polls in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, and Idaho to select candidates ahead of November's midterm elections. While many primaries are expected to be resolved with little drama, some have become among the most contentious elections of the year, serving as gauges of Donald Trump's control over Republicans and the direction Democratic voters want to take their party as they seek to retake Congress.
Kentucky
The most closely watched race in this deep-red state is the Republican primary for congressman Thomas Massie, who has broken with Trump on key issues and led efforts to release investigative files related to financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has backed retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein to unseat Massie from the northern Kentucky seat he has held since 2012, making this the most expensive House primary in history. Republican voters will also choose a candidate to replace retiring Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, with frontrunners including congressman Andy Barr and former state attorney general Daniel Cameron. Among Democrats, Charles Booker and Amy McGrath are vying for their party's nomination once again.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania looms large in both parties' midterm aspirations. Democrats hope to retake two swing House districts lost in 2024 and oust Republicans from two others. In the 7th district around Allentown, Democratic primary voters will choose between firefighters' union leader Bob Brooks, former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell, former county executive Lamont McClure, and former aide Carol Obando-Derstine. The winner will face Republican Ryan Mackenzie. In the 8th district, Scranton mayor Paige Cognetti faces no major challengers in her bid to unseat Republican Rob Bresnahan Jr. In the 10th district, county commissioner Justin Douglas vies against former broadcast anchor Janelle Stelson to take on incumbent Republican Scott Perry. Democrats also hope to oust moderate Republican Brian Fitzpatrick in the 1st district, with primary voters choosing between county commissioner Bob Harvie and former congressional science adviser Lucia Simonelli. In Philadelphia's 3rd district, voters will select from three ideologically distinct candidates to replace retiring representative Dwight Evans.
Georgia
Republican voters will select a candidate to face incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who seeks a second term in a state Trump won in 2024. Frontrunners include congressmen Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, and former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley, endorsed by outgoing Governor Brian Kemp. Georgia voters will also choose candidates to replace Kemp as governor. Republican candidates include Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Attorney General Chris Carr, healthcare executive Rick Jackson, and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who has Trump's endorsement. Democratic frontrunners include former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Republican lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan, state representative Derrick Jackson, former state senator Jason Esteves, and former county CEO Mike Thurmond.
Alabama
After the Supreme Court's ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act, Alabama's Republican leaders implemented a new congressional map expected to cost Democrats a House seat. Voters on Tuesday will nominate candidates for only three of Alabama's seven House districts, with primaries for the rest set for August. The most closely watched race is the gubernatorial election to replace term-limited Kay Ivey. Senator Tommy Tuberville is the Republican frontrunner, while former senator Doug Jones is expected to take the Democratic nomination. Congressman Barry Moore leads the Republican primary to replace Tuberville in the Senate, but faces six other candidates. Trump has endorsed Tuberville and Moore.
Oregon
Blue-state Oregon lacks competitive House and Senate seats, and changes in its federal delegation are unlikely. The most watched race may be the gubernatorial primary, where Democratic Governor Tina Kotek seeks a second term amid low approval ratings. Nine Democrats have filed to run against her, while 14 Republicans are standing in their primary, including former NBA player Chris Dudley, state senator Christine Drazan, state representative Ed Diehl, and county commissioner Danielle Bethell.
Idaho
Idaho is one of the most Republican states, and the GOP is expected to sweep its House and Senate seats. Governor Brad Little seeks a third term against nine primary challengers but has outraised them all. Senator Jim Risch faces three primary challengers but has far more cash and is viewed as unlikely to lose either his primary or the general election.
