US primaries set stage for midterm battle lines across six states
Contests for 74 House seats and key Senate and governorship races will shape the political landscape during President Donald Trump’s second term ahead of November’s midterms.
Voters in six states participated in primary elections on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, determining candidates for 74 US House of Representatives seats and various state offices, including governorships and Senate races. These contests are expected to influence the political landscape during President Donald Trump’s second term, ahead of the November midterms where Democrats aim to regain control of Congress.
Notable races include the open Senate seat in Iowa, the vulnerable House seat in New Jersey held by Tom Kean Jr, and the Senate race in Montana following incumbent Steve Daines’s withdrawal. In Iowa, Republican Senator Joni Ernst is retiring, leaving an open seat that Democrats view as a chance to gain ground. State Representative Josh Turek and State Senator Zach Wahls are the main Democratic contenders, with the establishment largely rallying behind Turek. Republican Representative Ashley Hinson is expected to be the party’s nominee, though a convention may be required if no candidate secures 35 percent of the vote.
In New Jersey, incumbent Republican Tom Kean Jr faces a vulnerable position despite running unopposed in his party’s primary. Kean has missed more than 100 House votes and failed to attend public events, citing a personal medical issue. Democrats are fielding several candidates, including former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett, to challenge him in a state that can lean purple.
Montana’s Senate race has been complicated by the sudden withdrawal of incumbent Steve Daines, which experts speculate may clear the field for Trump-endorsed Republican Kurt Alme. Five Democrats are competing for the nomination, while independent candidate Seth Bodnar has automatically progressed to the general election ballot. Bodnar, a Green Beret veteran and former University of Montana president, has faced criticism for using the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue.
California, holding primaries for 52 House races, is dominated by Democratic-leaning districts following 2022 redistricting. The most competitive House race is in the 22nd district, featuring a three-way nonpartisan primary. The governor’s race also draws significant attention, with 61 contenders, including former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, seeking to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. In South Dakota, Attorney General Marty Jackley is the prominent Republican candidate for the open House seat left by Representative Dusty Johnson, who is running for governor.
