Voters in six states held primary elections Tuesday, setting the stage for contests that could shape control of Congress and key statehouses this fall. The most closely watched races—California's open governor seat and Los Angeles' mayoral race—remained too close to call as of Wednesday afternoon, with final results potentially days or weeks away.
Trump's Endorsement Loses in Iowa
President Donald Trump's record of backing primary winners hit a snag in Iowa, where his endorsed candidate, Rep. Randy Feenstra, lost the Republican gubernatorial primary to businessman Zach Lahn. The defeat breaks Trump's winning streak, which had previously toppled incumbents like Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Cornyn, as well as Rep. Thomas Massie. Lahn, supported by Turning Point Action and former Rep. Steve King, now faces Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand—the only Democrat holding statewide office in the red state. Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted the race from "leans Republican" to "toss up" after Lahn's win.
California Governor's Race: Democratic Lockout Fears Ease
Three leading candidates are vying for the top two spots in California's gubernatorial primary. Democrat Xavier Becerra, former Health and Human Services Secretary, surged late alongside billionaire Tom Steyer. Republican Steve Hilton, backed by Trump, led early returns. As of Wednesday, Hilton was ahead, followed by Becerra and Steyer, with former Rep. Katie Porter and other Democrats conceding after single-digit results. The strong showing by at least one Democrat—and potentially two—quelled earlier fears that a crowded field of over 60 candidates could allow two Republicans to advance in the deep-blue state. DDHQ analyst Geoffrey Skelley noted that late Democratic votes could shift the tally.
Los Angeles Mayor Bass Advances Amid Voter Discontent
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass advanced to the general election but fell short of the 50% threshold needed for an outright win. The fight for second place pits Republican reality TV star Spencer Pratt against progressive Nithya Raman. Pratt, backed by Trump, has hammered Bass over her handling of the Pacific Palisades wildfires and a controversial trip abroad last year. Despite criticism, Bass retains support from former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, positioning her as the favorite in the nonpartisan race.
Iowa Senate Primary Delivers Schumer a Victory
In Iowa's Senate race, state Rep. Josh Turek, a Paralympian, defeated progressive state Sen. Zach Wahls in a proxy fight for the party's direction. Turek, backed by the VoteVets PAC—which spent nearly $10 million—will face Trump-endorsed Rep. Ashley Hinson in the fall for retiring Sen. Joni Ernst's seat. Wahls had criticized Turek for not rejecting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, but the centrist victory signals a win for Schumer's faction as Democrats aim to flip the chamber.
Other notable results include New Jersey Democrats picking a challenger to Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who faced scrutiny over a prolonged absence from Congress. The outcomes underscore the high stakes of the 2026 midterms, with control of the Senate and House hanging in the balance.
