Five pivotal tests for Democrats as Tuesday’s primaries kick off

Tuesday’s primaries function as a major test for a Democratic Party still reeling from 2024 losses, spanning California, Iowa, New Jersey and beyond. POLITICO highlights five things to watch: (1) whether Democrats can lock GOP out of California’s governor’s race between Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer; (2) whether anti-establishment candidates can win in Iowa’s Senate contest; (3) who survives in California’s crowded House battlegrounds (CA-48, CA-22, CA-7) and what it says about leadership dynamics behind Nancy Pelosi’s replacement; (4) how anti-Israel messaging plays in New Jersey’s 12th and California races; and (5) if Democrats attempt to spoil deep-red Senate bids in Montana and South Dakota. The results could reshape party direction and intra-party dynamics heading into November.