The fall Senate matchups are set after Tuesday primaries, with former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan winning the Republican primary and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks emerging victorious in the Democratic primary. In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice secured the GOP nomination, setting the stage for a November matchup with Democratic nominee Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott. Moderate House Republicans held off conservative challengers, and West Virginia Republicans selected their nominee to replace Justice in the governor’s office. Some Republican voters showed signs of voting against Trump in Tuesday’s primaries.
In Maryland, Alsobrooks defeated Rep. David Trone, who spent tens of millions of dollars on his campaign, in the Democratic primary. Hogan, who has at times criticized Trump, will provide a challenge to Alsobrooks in November. In West Virginia, Justice won the GOP primary and is heavily favored to win in November against Elliott, who is endorsed by Sen. Joe Manchin. Manchin’s retirement has given Republicans an opportunity to pick up a Senate seat in a state that strongly supported Trump in recent elections.
Maryland state Sen. Sarah Elfreth secured the Democratic nomination for Congress with support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Elfreth emphasized her local connections and received backing from organized labor and key Democratic leaders. Moderates in the House Republican party also had a good night, with Rep. Don Bacon winning the Nebraska 2nd District primary and Rep. Carol Miller fending off a challenge from a former state lawmaker. AIPAC’s decision to heavily invest in Elfreth’s race, despite little difference between her and other candidates, remains unclear.
In West Virginia, with Justice term-limited out of office, the GOP primary for governor drew several well-connected Republicans. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey emerged victorious, facing off against Democratic Huntington Mayor Steve Williams in the general election. The primary was marred by negativity, with attack ads targeting transgender individuals and accusing candidates of being allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the contentious primary, Morrisey will now compete in the general election for the governor’s seat in a state that heavily supported Trump in recent elections.
