In the recent Tuesday primaries, the matchups for two key Senate races were set, with former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan winning the Republican primary and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks defeating Rep. David Trone in the Democratic primary. In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice easily won the GOP primary, setting up a November matchup with Democratic nominee Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott, who is endorsed by Sen. Joe Manchin. These races will play a crucial role in determining control of the Senate this fall.
The primaries in states like Maryland, Nebraska, and West Virginia provided insight into the ongoing themes and dynamics within the Republican Party. Some Republican voters demonstrated a willingness to vote against former President Donald Trump, with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley receiving a significant share of the vote in both Nebraska and Maryland. These results hint at potential shifts within the party and could impact the upcoming midterm elections.
In Maryland, Alsobrooks’ victory over Trone, who spent tens of millions of his own money on his campaign, sets the stage for a highly competitive Senate race against Hogan. Alsobrooks, if elected, would become the third Black woman elected to the US Senate and the first Black senator from Maryland. Hogan, who has occasionally criticized Trump in the past, presents a challenge for Democrats as they seek to retain control of the Senate.
In West Virginia, Justice’s victory in the GOP primary positions Republicans well to flip the Senate seat previously held by Manchin. Justice, who switched party affiliations during his first term as governor and aligns closely with Trump, will face Elliott in the general election. With West Virginia being a heavily Republican state and Manchin being the lone Democrat in statewide office, Justice has a strong chance of capturing the Senate seat.
In deep blue Maryland, state Sen. Sarah Elfreth secured the Democratic nomination for Congress with the support of prominent organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s super PAC, United Democracy Project. Elfreth’s victory highlighted the influence of outside groups in local elections and the importance of building strong local connections. The decision by AIPAC to invest heavily in the district remains somewhat unclear given the lack of significant differences between Elfreth and her top rival, Harry Dunn.
Moderate House Republican incumbents had a successful night in Nebraska and West Virginia, with Rep. Don Bacon in the 2nd District and Rep. Carol Miller fending off conservative challengers. In West Virginia’s gubernatorial primary, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey emerged victorious in a crowded field, setting up a general election matchup against Democratic Huntington Mayor Steve Williams. The primary was marked by negative campaigning and divisive rhetoric, reflecting the intense competition for leadership positions within the state.
