On August 6th, a well-funded Senate primary, a primary challenge against a ‘Squad’ member, and Joe Kent’s second chance are all events worth keeping an eye on. From the Upper Midwest to the Pacific Northwest, primary races will take place with potential major ramifications. In Michigan, the race to replace Sen. Debbie Stabenow is heating up, adding to the battleground state’s attention ahead of the general election. Meanwhile, Missouri voters will cast ballots in crucial statewide elections, including the fate of Rep. Cori Bush in St. Louis. Washington State will also host competitive races, including those testing the power of endorsements from former President Donald Trump.
Here’s a breakdown of the biggest races by state on August 6th:
– In Michigan, the U.S. Senate race following Stabenow’s retirement has Democrats and Republicans vying for the seat. Rep. Elissa Slotkin leads in fundraising and polling, facing off against a crowded Republican field.
– Michigan’s 8th District and 7th District primaries are also competitive, with multiple candidates vying for nominations.
– In the 3rd District, Rep. Hillary Scholten faces a primary challenge, while the Republican primary is a two-person race.
– The 10th District, held by Rep. John James, will see a Democratic primary with four candidates running.
In Missouri, the 1st District race in St. Louis will determine whether Rep. Cori Bush serves a third term, facing a tough challenge from Wesley Bell. The race has drawn significant attention and funding from groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Based on its most recent federal campaign finance reports, the United Democracy Project, a super PAC linked to AIPAC, had spent approximately $8.6 million to defeat Bush as of August 2nd. If Bell emerges victorious, Bush will be the second member of the “Squad” of left-wing Democrats to lose an intraparty primary race this election cycle.
In Missouri, both Republicans and Democrats are gearing up to compete for five out of six positions in the state’s executive branch that will be up for grabs in the upcoming fall election. The most significant contest is the three-way battle to succeed outgoing Governor Mike Parson, with no clear frontrunner among the three Republican contenders.
Missouri will also narrow down the field for Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney General positions, with incumbents Andrew Bailey and Vivek Malek seeking reelection. Notably, the contest between incumbent Bailey and challenger Will Scharf has garnered national attention, with Scharf receiving support from conservative figures like Leonard Leo and Paul Singer.
In Washington, all candidates will be on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, with the top two finishers advancing to the general election. In the 3rd District, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces a tough reelection battle in a district that Cook rates as a “Democrat toss-up.” She is being challenged by Joe Kent, a former U.S. Army officer endorsed by former President Trump, among others.
Meanwhile, Rep. Dan Newhouse in the 4th District faces primary challenges from fellow Republicans Jerrold Sessler and Tiffany Smiley, both endorsed by Trump. Despite leading in fundraising, Newhouse is facing a competitive race against Smiley, according to polling from her campaign.
The 5th District in Washington has an open primary following Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ decision not to seek reelection. Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner leads in fundraising among Republican candidates vying for the seat, with notable challengers including state Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber and former state Sen. Brian Dansel.
Lastly, the retirement of Rep. Derek Kilmer in the 6th District has attracted prominent Democratic contenders like Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz and state Sen. Emily Randall, as well as Republican challengers seeking to represent a historically Democratic district.
Drew MacEwen successfully flipped a Democratic-held seat to secure a spot in the state Senate in 2022. Another Republican, non-profit founder Janis Clark, is also competing for the seat.
Franz and Randall have each raised over $1 million, while MacEwen’s campaign funds total over $153,000. The district has a Democratic lean of six points according to Cook’s analysis, suggesting that if MacEwen advances to the next round, the Democratic candidate is likely to win the general election. However, if Franz and Randall move forward, it would lead to a Democrat versus Democrat election campaign.
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