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How can several primary elections today impact the balance of power in November?
With just over 90 days until the midterm elections, voters in several states are participating in primary elections that will shape the balance of power in Congress.
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With just over 90 days until the midterm elections, voters in Michigan, Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, and Washington state are casting ballots in pivotal primary races today.
In Virginia, voters are choosing nominees for U.S. House and Senate seats. Several of Virginia’s congressional districts are among Democrats’ top targets for regaining control of the House.
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One closely watched race is in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, where a rematch could be in the works between two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans and the Democrat she unseated in 2022, former U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria.
Michigan is also drawing significant attention, with moderate and four-term U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and progressive favorite Abdul El-Sayed facing off in a competitive Senate primary.
Stevens is backed by Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, while El-Sayed is supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders. The winner will advance to the November midterms to face Trump-endorsed Congressman Mike Rogers, who is running unopposed.
“The work is not over. We don’t know what the votes will say, although I feel pretty good about it,” El-Sayed said. “You can’t buy inspiration. You can’t buy people deciding to be a part of something. You can’t buy hope. You can’t buy belief, and so what we’ve got is worth way more than their $80 million. They can burn their money all they want.”
“Look, when it comes to Michigan, I run through anyone and anything to stand up for us,” Stevens said. “I’m a tough-as-nails Democrat, and I’m a tough-as-nails Democrat that wins for us and what we need right now.”
Voters in Michigan are also choosing Democratic and Republican nominees in the gubernatorial race to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
In Kansas, Democrats are deciding competitive primaries for governor and U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, Missouri voters are choosing nominees for eight U.S. House seats.
One of the most competitive races to watch this fall is taking place in Washington state’s 3rd Congressional District. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is trying to defend her seat in a district that President Donald Trump won in 2024.
With about three months to go until the midterms, the question remains whether Republicans will maintain control of both chambers or whether Democrats will regain control of the House, Senate, or both.
How do Americans feel about the upcoming midterm elections?
Democrats are leading Republicans by 8 points on the generic ballot among registered voters, according to a recent CNN poll. The poll also found that Democrats have a 20-point advantage among those who said they are extremely motivated to vote.
On economic concerns, 63% of Americans say the GOP is focusing too little on cost-of-living issues, while 52% say Democrats are not spending enough time addressing the same issue.
Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:
