On Tuesday, voters in Kentucky and Oregon will participate in presidential primaries, adding a few more delegates to the national conventions. Despite already securing the nominations, Joe Biden and Donald Trump continue to face dissent within their parties. Biden has faced protest votes over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war while Trump still sees support for Nikki Haley. After Tuesday, eight nominating contests remain, including Idaho, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota.
Along with the presidential primaries, voters in Kentucky, Oregon, Georgia, and Idaho will also hold state primaries to choose nominees for the U.S. House and other contests. In California’s Central Valley, voters will select a Republican to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, leading the prosecution of Trump in a 2020 election interference case, faces challenger Christian Wise Smith in the Democratic primary in Georgia, along with a nonpartisan race between Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee and challenger Robert Patillo.
In Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, there is a competitive Democratic primary between Jamie McLeod-Skinner, a progressive candidate who ousted a moderate incumbent two years ago, and Janelle Bynum, a state lawmaker believed to be a strong candidate by some Democrats. The winner will face Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the general election. In the Portland-based 3rd Congressional District, Democrats will select a nominee to replace retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer, with candidates including Susheela Jayapal, state Rep. Maxine Dexter, and Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales.
The judge in Trump’s election interference case, as well as candidates for other races, are also up for reelection. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee is facing challenger Robert Patillo. In state primaries in Georgia and Idaho, voters will have the opportunity to choose nominees for various races. In California, Republicans Vince Fong and Mike Boudreaux are competing in a special runoff election to complete Kevin McCarthy’s term, with a rematch scheduled for the next full two-year term in November.
Despite clinching their nominations, Biden and Trump will continue to face challenges from within their respective parties. The upcoming primaries will provide a glimpse into where the Democratic and Republican bases stand regarding their standard-bearers. After Tuesday’s contests, only eight presidential nominating contests will remain, setting the stage for the final push towards the national conventions. Voters will play a crucial role in shaping the future of both parties as the election season progresses.
