All articles tagged with #democratic primary
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is testing the waters for a 2028 U.S. Senate bid by touring upstate New York. While officially promoting midterm voter turnout, her stops in Buffalo and Ithaca serve to gauge support outside her traditional base. The move contrasts with her lack of recent activity in early presidential primary states, suggesting a potential pivot away from a White House run.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signaled a potential 2028 presidential run at a book event in Washington, D.C., suggesting he and Maryland Governor Wes Moore could form a strong ticket. While declining to confirm a bid immediately, Beshear noted he will decide after his term as chair of the Democratic Governors Association ends in December. The event highlighted his new book, which frames his political strategy through a faith-based lens and draws parallels between his 2019 victory over former Governor Matt Bevin and a potential national campaign against President Trump.
The 2028 Democratic primary’s early New Mexico vote could make Native American voters a decisive bloc, with campaigns already courting tribal leaders and addressing sovereignty, land and water rights, and rural infrastructure. The shift, aided by NM’s large Indigenous population and Deb Haaland’s prominence, could elevate Indigenous power in national politics, though Native voters are not a monolith and campaigns are still figuring out how best to engage them.
Helena Foulkes, a former CVS executive, defeated incumbent Gov. Dan McKee in Rhode Island's Democratic primary, aided by a three-to-one spending edge and polls showing McKee’s unpopularity over the Washington Bridge closure; the loss makes McKee the first sitting governor to lose a primary in eight years and positions Foulkes as the front-runner in a blue Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee faces a tight Democratic primary rematch with Helena Buonanno Foulkes as voters weigh his handling of the Washington Bridge reconstruction, which is delayed and now not expected to reopen until 2028, while McKee contends with being outspent and broader anti-incumbent sentiment tied to high electricity rates and a housing shortage; the primary winner is seen as the likely general-election favorite.
Stefany Shaheen, daughter of retiring senator Jeanne Shaheen, won New Hampshire’s 1st District Democratic primary, defeating eight challengers as Rep. Chris Pappas runs for the Senate; the victory sets up a general-election contest in a district Democrats view as key to retaining House control.
Stefany Shaheen, the eldest daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, won New Hampshire’s open 1st District Democratic primary, defeating Maura Sullivan as rivals tried to weaponize the surname; with the seat open after Rep. Chris Pappas, the race is expected to be competitive in November, aided by early fundraising from donors tied to her mother and by Shaheen’s own public-service credentials.
Stefany Shaheen, daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, is running in New Hampshire’s open 1st District, but faces attacks that she’s benefiting from a famous family name; about $740,000 of her fundraising came from donors who previously gave to her mother (roughly 39% of itemized dollars), underscoring the dynasty angle as she touts local service and her own record. Her main rival Maura Sullivan argues the race is about merit, while polls show a tight contest ahead of Tuesday’s ballot, in a state featuring multiple dynastic headlines on the same day.
Lora Wondolowski narrowly won the Democratic nomination for the 1st Franklin District, edging Corinne Coryat by 95 votes district-wide (4,355 to 4,260) with Colrain placing Wondolowski ahead. Coryat carried several towns, including Deerfield, Heath and Shelburne. Wondolowski, Greenfield City Council president and Peace Development Fund official, will face independent Amy Lavallee in November to fill the vacancy left by Natalie Blais. The race highlighted issues like climate, housing and rural equity, and fundraising favored Wondolowski (about $32,980) over Coryat (about $23,300).
Seven candidates are on the Democratic primary ballot to replace Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, who is not seeking reelection; results will be updated after polls close at 8 p.m.
Rep. Stephen Lynch, 71, defeated a younger progressive challenger, Patrick Roath, in Massachusetts’ 8th District Democratic primary, fending off a bid for generational change despite Roath’s fundraising and endorsements. Lynch emphasized his long track record and district funding, while Neal also won renomination; in the 6th District, Dan Koh captured the open-seat primary, signaling incumbents’ resilience despite a wave of challenges.
Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey defeated Rep. Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts Democratic primary, clearing the path to a third Senate term as he faces Republican John Deaton in November. Markey — a longtime progressive advocate for universal health care and the Green New Deal — was backed by major progressives like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, while Moulton ran as a more moderate challenger. The race touched on concerns about the age of lawmakers, with Markey asserting his energy and readiness, and Moulton criticizing accessibility to voters. Polls had Markey ahead, and the result follows a 2020 primary where Markey narrowly beat Joe Kennedy III.
Dan Koh, a former Biden administration aide, won a crowded Democratic primary in Massachusetts’ 6th District, beating rivals including a Squad-backed candidate and securing the backing of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Koh now advances to face Republican Micah Jones in November, running on progressive promises such as universal healthcare and abolishing ICE as he seeks to replace Rep. Seth Moulton in the safe blue seat.
Massachusetts voters head to Tuesday’s Democratic primaries where longtime Senator Ed Markey faces Rep. Seth Moulton in a high-profile Senate contest; in a state that leans strongly Democratic, the primary outcome is likely to determine who represents Massachusetts in Washington next year, with the race framing questions about Markey’s tenure against Moulton’s challenge and broader party dynamics.
80-year-old Sen. Ed Markey is running for six more years in a Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary, framing himself as the anti‑establishment revolutionary against Rep. Seth Moulton, who runs on generational change. The race centers on progressive priorities like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal, with Warren and Sanders among Markey’s backers, while Moulton argues Markey hasn’t delivered enough on energy and housing. The contest highlights intra‑party tensions and could shape future leadership in a blue state as Massachusetts weighs its political direction and potential shifts in the broader party landscape.