All articles tagged with #primaries
Italy's fragmented opposition, led by Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte, is trying to capitalize on Meloni's referendum defeat to topple her, but faces deep divisions on policy and leadership; talks of opposition primaries and a unifying candidate reflect the effort to present a coherent platform before next year’s election, while debates over Ukraine aid and defense spending threaten unity.
Democrats in Illinois nominated five candidates for open U.S. House seats after heated campaigns that featured substantial outside spending and debate over Israel policy, with Daniel Biss (9th District), Donna Miller (2nd District), La Shawn Ford (7th District), Melissa Bean (8th District), and Patty García (4th District) advancing. The races underscored intra-party tensions and the influence of groups like AIPAC, though all five districts are heavily Democratic and the nominees are favored for November.
Illinois Democratic primaries delivered a major setback for Squad-backed progressives, with AIPAC-backed and allied PACs backing moderates who won key races (e.g., Daniel Biss in the 9th, Melissa Bean in the 8th, La Shawn Ford in the 7th) and Robert Peters finishing far behind in the 2nd, signaling a boost for party leadership and a cautionary tale for insurgent Democrats nationwide.
Illinois voters are voting in midterm primaries for six open U.S. House and Senate seats, with the retirement of Sen. Dick Durbin triggering crowded races led by Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robin Kelly, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. The contests feature intense fundraising and outside spending from groups tied to Israel, cryptocurrency, and AI, and several House seats around Chicago are open due to retirements. Gov. JB Pritzker’s influence looms over the Democratic field, while Republicans run in contested primaries as well. Most Democrats are favored in November, but the day focuses on who will lead Illinois’ delegation; minor polling-site ID issues were reported in one county where showing ID is not required.
Illinois Democrats face intraparty battles as retirement of Sen. Durbin and several Chicago-area House members opens contests, with Gov. JB Pritzker backing a lieutenant governor candidate and rivalries among top contenders. Outside money from crypto and AI interests— plus secret-funded groups— is shaping campaigns for the Senate and House, while disagreements over immigration enforcement and Israel policy illustrate the party’s ideological divides ahead of the results.
Illinois' Tuesday primaries spotlight AIPAC's heavy spending in key House races and Gov. JB Pritzker's backing of Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Senate contest, raising concerns about Black leadership and potential vote-splitting, while also underscoring ongoing generational rifts within the Democratic Party as outside money and Israel policy debates influence turnout in pivotal districts.
AIPAC is pouring about $22 million into Illinois House races, largely through shell PACs to mask donors, and shifting tactics from attacking a Jewish moderate to backing a Palestinian-American progressive, prompting concerns about outside influence and unpredictable effects in a crowded Democratic primary landscape.
Illinois voters head to primaries to decide a new US senator and candidates for five open House seats, with heavy outside spending—including AIPAC-linked donors—shaping the races; Raja Krishnamoorthi leads polls for the Senate contest, Juliana Stratton edges forward, and crowded fields in districts like the 9th and 7th likely determine November outcomes in the blue state.
Illinois’ primary weekend features a tight Democratic Senate contest to succeed Dick Durbin and a crowded blue-tr district open-seat race, underscoring how the state will help shape November’s balance of power. The piece also previews a busy slate of upcoming primaries nationwide (May–August) in states like Indiana, Nebraska, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, California, and more, highlighting how early results could hint at political momentum and potential shifts in Congress.
About 4.48 million Texans cast ballots in the statewide primaries, with Democratic turnout roughly doubling to around 2.3 million and Republicans about 2.16 million. Democrats led in early voting, and analysts say heightened enthusiasm due to a competitive U.S. Senate race and criticism of the Trump era helped drive participation.
Texas’s primaries were marred by chaotic voting-site changes in Dallas and Williamson counties, causing long lines and confusion and prompting Democrat Jasmine Crockett to accuse authorities of suppressing votes; voting-rights advocates say the disruption signals suppression risks for the November election, highlighting how county-by-county voting and court decisions have affected access for communities of color and working-class voters.
Texas primary results underscored rising anti-incumbency pressures: one House Republican lost outright, four more head to 12-week runoffs amid mid-decade redistricting and intra-party tensions, with Dan Crenshaw toppled in the 2nd district and other races in districts 18, 23, and 33 set for competitive rematches that could reshape the House landscape.
Senate GOP Leader John Thune urged President Trump to endorse Texas Sen. John Cornyn early to potentially blunt a costly May runoff against Ken Paxton, arguing an early endorsement could save money and keep focus on Democrats. Cornyn leads Paxton by late vote counts, and allies say a Trump endorsement could be “enormously helpful.” The live feed also covers a House Ethics probe into Tony Gonzales, criticism of IRS CEO Frank Bisignano at a Ways and Means hearing, and other Capitol Hill races and developments.
Texas incumbents faced a wave of primary upsets: Dan Crenshaw lost to Steve Toth (Toth 56%–Crenshaw 40%), Sid Miller was defeated by Nate Sheets (Sheets 52%–Miller 47%), acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick were knocked out by Don Huffines, Democratic Rep. Chris Turner narrowly lost to Junior Ezeonu (Ezeonu 52%–Turner 48%), and Dallas County DA John Creuzot trailed Amber Givens (Givens 51%–Creuzot 48%).
Texas’s 2026 congressional primaries produced notable upsets and runoffs as redistricting and Trump endorsements reshaped the map: Rep. Dan Crenshaw lost to Steve Toth, several incumbents from both parties faced tight battles or runoffs, and Democratic incumbents Al Green and Julie Johnson were drawn into competitive contests. Trump-backed candidates won in several redesigned seats, while numerous retirements opened additional open-seat races across the state.