On Tuesday, voters in Florida, Wyoming, and Alaska head to the polls for pivotal primary elections that will shape the 2026 midterm landscape. The Hill is providing 90 minutes of live, real-time coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. EDT, anchored by NewsNation's Cory Smith.
Joining Smith are The Hill's campaign and congressional reporters, along with election data specialists from Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) and political analysts. Together, they will break down the races as results come in, offering sharp context on the key contests and their national implications.
DDHQ's sophisticated modeling and rapid result aggregation will allow The Hill team to call races accurately and in real time. Viewers can expect up-to-the-minute updates and expert interpretation of the vote counts, with a focus on the most competitive and consequential primaries.
Florida: A Battleground for Progressive and Trump-Aligned Factions
Florida's primaries are drawing national attention, particularly in the Orlando area, where Democratic voters are choosing between progressive and moderate candidates. The race has become a test of the Democratic Socialists of America's influence after recent setbacks in Wisconsin, as noted in this analysis of the DSA's final primary test.
On the Republican side, several incumbents face challenges from candidates backed by former President Trump. One such race pits incumbent Rep. Byron Donalds against a Trump-endorsed challenger, a contest that could signal the former president's continued sway over the GOP. The Florida GOP primary tests Donalds and Mills, with the outcome likely to influence the party's direction.
Additionally, Democratic incumbents in South Florida are facing primary challenges amid redistricting changes that have altered district lines, as reported on the redistricting impact. These races could reshape the state's congressional delegation.
Wyoming and Alaska: GOP Contests and Trump's Influence
In Wyoming, the primary is largely a Republican affair, with several candidates vying for the chance to succeed the state's lone House member. The race has become a proxy battle between establishment and Trump-aligned wings of the party, echoing the former president's mixed record in recent primaries. Trump's primary losses signal a waning grip on the GOP, and tonight's results in Wyoming could either reinforce or challenge that narrative.
Alaska's primary is notable for its ranked-choice voting system, which adds a layer of complexity to the vote count. The state's at-large House seat is up for grabs, with a crowded field of Republicans and a few Democrats. DDHQ's real-time tracking will be essential in deciphering the ranked-choice rounds and projecting the eventual winners.
How to Watch
The live coverage will stream on The Hill's website, with the video player embedded above. Starting at 7:30 p.m. EDT and running through 9 p.m. EDT, the broadcast will feature continuous updates, expert commentary, and analysis from the DDHQ data desk.
For political enthusiasts, this is a must-watch evening to understand the shifting dynamics within both major parties as the 2026 midterms take shape.
