Voters in Iowa, California, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, and South Dakota headed to the polls Tuesday for primary elections that will shape the field for November’s midterm elections. Democrats are targeting Republican-held seats in Iowa and Montana, while California’s open governor’s race is drawing a crowded field under the state’s top-two primary system.
In Iowa, the Republican gubernatorial primary pits state Sen. Randy Feenstra, who represents a deeply conservative district in northwest Iowa and has touted his voting record with Trump, against Zach Lahn of Belle Plaine, who has positioned himself as the more conservative candidate. The winner will face Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand in the general election.
On the Senate side, Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, endorsed by Trump, is vying for the seat being vacated by Sen. Joni Ernst. The Democratic primary features state Sen. Zach Wahls of Johnson County, home to the University of Iowa and the most Democratic-leaning region of the state, and state Rep. Josh Turek, a paralympian who flipped a Republican-held House seat by six votes in 2022.
California’s gubernatorial primary will send the top two candidates to the general election regardless of party. Among the frontrunners are Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. On the Republican side, former Fox News host Steve Hilton has Trump’s endorsement. The primary also tests California’s new congressional map, which voters approved in November and was drawn in response to Texas redistricting.
In Montana, the House seat left open by Rep. Ryan Zinke is attracting national attention. Trump has endorsed radio host Aaron Flint for the Republican nomination. Sam Forstag, who has the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is running against former gubernatorial candidate Russ Cleveland in the Democratic primary. Ocasio-Cortez hosted a rally for Forstag last week.