Voters in California, Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey and South Dakota are casting ballots in primaries that include major gubernatorial, mayoral, Senate and congressional contests.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Voters in six states are heading to the polls today in a primary night shaped by open statewide seats, closely watched California contests and several congressional races that could help determine the political landscape heading into November.
California has the largest slate of major races, including primaries for governor, Los Angeles mayor and multiple congressional districts. Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey and South Dakota are also holding contests, with Senate, governor and House races drawing attention from both parties.
The race to replace outgoing California Gov. Gavin Newsom is among the most closely watched contests in the country. California uses a nonpartisan primary system in which all candidates appear on the same ballot and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.
The race shifted in the final weeks before the primary when Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., left the contest and Congress following multiple allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Swalwell has denied the allegations.
Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer are the leading Democrats in the race. The two are polling close to each other, though Becerra holds a slight advantage.
On the Republican side, the main candidates are Steve Hilton, a British American television host and conservative commentator, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Polling has left unclear whether Hilton or Steyer is better positioned for second place.
Los Angeles voters are also choosing candidates in the city’s nonpartisan mayoral primary. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is facing 10 challengers and is expected to finish first.
The contest for the second general election slot is more competitive. Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman, a Democrat, is seeking to hold off former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who is running as a Republican.
Several California congressional primaries are also being closely watched.
In California’s 22nd Congressional District, Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., is competing in the nonpartisan primary against state Rep. Jasmeet Bains and Randy Villegas, both Democrats. Valadao is expected to advance to the general election, but his opponent will be determined by the primary results. A Data for Progress poll conducted in early May showed Valadao at 44%, Villegas at 25% and Bains at 21%.
California’s 48th Congressional District has drawn a large field. Republican Jim Desmond leads in polling, while fellow Republican Kevin O’Neil has placed second in some surveys. Democrats Marni von Wilpert and Ammar Campa-Najjar are the party’s leading contenders. The district was one of five redrawn last year to favor Democrats, though that advantage depends on a Democrat advancing through the nonpartisan primary.
In California’s 11th Congressional District, Democrats are competing to replace outgoing Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Polling shows Scott Wiener as the front-runner. Pelosi has endorsed San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, who has placed second in some polls. Two Republicans are also running but have drawn less than 5% support when included in surveys.
Iowa’s open Senate race is another major contest. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is not seeking reelection, giving Democrats a potential pickup opportunity in a state that has leaned Republican.
Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, is favored to win the Republican nomination over state Sen. Jim Carlin. On the Democratic side, polling has not clearly settled the contest between Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, though Turek has led in more recent surveys.
Iowa is also holding a gubernatorial primary after Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she would not seek reelection in 2026. Rep. Randy Feenstra, Zach Lahn and Adam Steen are leading among Republican candidates. State Auditor Rob Sand is the only Democrat running. An April general election poll by Echelon Insights, a Republican-aligned firm, showed Sand at 51% against Feenstra at 39%.
In Montana, the Senate race changed after Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., made a last-minute exit. Former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme entered the Republican race as Daines stepped aside, leaving other GOP contenders little time to build support. No polling has been conducted on the Democratic primary, leaving the party’s front-runner unclear. Montana was represented as recently as 2024 by Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, and some general election polling has shown a generic Democrat with 44% support.
New Mexico voters are choosing nominees in the governor’s race. Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland is heavily favored to win the Democratic nomination in the blue-leaning state. Republicans had viewed New Mexico as a possible target in 2024. On the Republican side, Gregg Hull narrowly leads Doug Turner in polling.
In New Jersey, Democrats are targeting the 7th Congressional District seat held by Rep. Tom Kean, R-N.J. Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, is favored to win the Democratic nomination and leads in most polls. Brian Varela is her closest rival.
New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District is also drawing attention after Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., announced her retirement. The safely Democratic district has exposed ideological divisions within the party, with the primary likely to determine the next representative.
Dr. Adam Hamawy, a Princeton trauma surgeon and Army veteran, is leading the progressive wing of the race and has endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. Other leading Democratic candidates include East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, state Rep. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Somerset County Commissioner Shanel Robinson.
The primaries will test voter sentiment in some of the country’s most consequential state and congressional races, with California’s top-two system, Iowa’s open statewide contests and New Jersey’s Democratic House battles among the most important results to watch.