The latest round of primary elections took place Tuesday in four states: Maryland, New York, South Carolina and Utah.
The midterm elections in November will determine control of both chambers of Congress and will also see the election of dozens of governors and other state and local offices. Before then, voters must choose nominees for each of these offices, making their picks in primary elections throughout the spring and summer in all 50 states.
: All eight of the state鈥檚 congressional districts will hold contested primaries. In a state that typically leans left (only one district is led by a Republican), the primaries often determine the general election winners. Gov. secured the Democratic nomination for a second term.
: New York City Mayor is looking to through a series of endorsements, including in districts 10, 13 and 7. Meanwhile, several Democrats are seeking the party nomination in District 12, including Trump critic and Kennedy family scion .
: State Attorney General Alan Wilson won the Republican nomination for governor after President , who initially for the job, said on Friday that either contender would be a good pick.
: Voters will nominate congressional candidates using a that created a Democratic-friendly district in Salt Lake City.
Here’s the latest:
Evette says she will stay in public life and support Republicans after South Carolina runoff loss
Republican South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pam Evette was surrounded by her family 鈥� but not Republican Gov. Henry McMaster 鈥� as she took the stage for four minutes with the sun setting behind a sweeping ocean vista at her election party.
In a horse voice that cracked a little as she thanked her children and husband for their support, Evette said she needed to read this speech because she didn鈥檛 want to forget to say something.
鈥淚t鈥檚 OK to be disappointed. Lord knows that I am, but in just a few months, there鈥檚 going to be a general election, and the choice in that general election is going to be between conservative principles and a Democratic Party that wants the exact opposite for South Carolina,鈥� Evette said, throwing her support behind the Republican nominee, state Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Evette said she is grateful for the honor of serving as lieutenant governor for eight years and her political career likely isn鈥檛 over.
鈥淭his isn鈥檛 the end of anything for me,鈥� Evette said. 鈥淚t is just the beginning of a different chapter.鈥�
Wilson had strong early leads across the state
In , Wilson had double-digit leads in 21 of the 23 counties that had released vote results from across the state by the time AP called the GOP runoff for governor.
He significantly expanded the leads he had in the primary in the heavily populated Charleston and Columbia areas and also led in counties that went for Evette and Ralph Norman on June 9. Evette was ahead in only two counties.
Voter worries progressives will split vote in Utah House race
Emily Cort describes herself as a progressive who backs Democrat Nate Blouin, a firebrand in the state鈥檚 Republican-controlled Legislature. Cort said Blouin鈥檚 beliefs align closely with hers, including opposition to Israel鈥檚 actions in Gaza and concern for environmental issues.
But she worries that Blouin could end up splitting the vote with other progressive-leaning candidates in the race, to the advantage of Democrat Ben McAdams, who is considered more moderate and who Cort doesn鈥檛 like.
鈥淣ot only do we have to be voting for people that we believe in, but it鈥檚 politics and we have to be voting for people that we think will make it the furthest,鈥� she said.
鈥淚鈥檓 a little nervous that there is a split at the moment,鈥� she added.
Wilson celebrates winning South Carolina GOP runoff
A video played of Wilson supporters, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, as the gubernatorial candidate greeted family and backers on stage with the strains of Van Halen as accompaniment.
鈥淚 will never lie to you and I will always make fighting for your family my No. 1 consideration,鈥� Wilson鈥檚 voice said in the video background.
After Wilson walked on stage, he shouted to the crowd, 鈥淎re we having fun tonight?鈥�
Until last week, Trump had endorsed only Wilson鈥檚 opponent Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. He added Wilson to his endorsements the Friday before the runoff.
Evette had finished narrowly ahead of Wilson in the June primary.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore wins Democratic primary as he seeks 2nd term
Moore, 47, promoted a record of job growth and declining violent crime in the deep-blue state, and he campaigned on standing up for Maryland鈥檚 middle class while criticizing Trump for healthcare cuts and price hikes.
An author and former Army officer, Moore鈥檚 first foray into politics was getting elected as Maryland鈥檚 first Black governor four years ago. He is often mentioned among Democrats as a potential presidential candidate, even as he has repeatedly said he will not run in 2028.
Moore easily beat physician Eric Felber, his sole Democratic challenger in the primary.
鈥楥onservative Democrat鈥� says he backs McAdams in Utah House race
Joaquin Ezra, 20, says he used to be pro-choice but now considers himself 鈥渋n the middle鈥� on abortion. He cited that as one of the reasons he voted for former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams, who is considered more moderate than his Democratic primary opponents in Utah鈥檚 1st Congressional District.
McAdams previously described himself as anti-abortion and pitched himself as a moderate during his 2018 campaign. This year, running in a more solidly Democratic district, he鈥檚 pledged his support for abortion rights.
Ezra said the district is not as progressive as some Democratic Party activists have claimed and includes lots of people who voted for Trump. He suggested that would make McAdams a better fit.
鈥淥ut of the three frontrunners, definitely yes,鈥� Ezra said. 鈥淭here are probably maybe some better candidates that could have ran, but he鈥檚 not the worst. I think he鈥檚 actually pretty decent.鈥�
Polls have closed in Maryland
In-person election day voting concluded in Maryland at 8 p.m. EDT. Comparable past elections can about when to expect the first vote results and how long the vote count might take.
In the 2022 primary, The Associated Press first reported results at 8:42 p.m. EDT, or 42 minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 4:15 a.m. EDT with about 56% of total votes counted.
Celebration ensues at Wilson election night party
As news spread of Wilson鈥檚 win, scattered whoops went up around the downtown Columbia ballroom, where supporters had only begun to fill in for his election night party.
Most people were still in a reception area outside the room, ordering drinks from a bar setup and sampling food along a buffet line.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson wins GOP governor鈥檚 runoff
Wilson on Tuesday defeated the Republican whom the president had initially picked in the state鈥檚 GOP gubernatorial primary.
Most Republicans in the race had vied for backing from Trump, who endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the closing days of the primary race two weeks ago. But days before the runoff, Trump said he was endorsing both Republicans, throwing a curveball into the race for any voter looking to the president for guidance.
Evette also had support from outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster, alongside whom she鈥檚 served for eight years. She and Wilson had advanced over other GOP candidates including U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman 鈥� both of whom endorsed Wilson.
Wilson has served as the state鈥檚 top prosecutor since 2011 and is the son of longtime U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson. His victory sets up a November general contest with state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, who won Democrats鈥� nomination outright two weeks ago.
Ocean view, but no signs of Trump endorsement at Evette鈥檚 South Carolina party
Republican South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette chose a room with a sweeping vista of the ocean at Myrtle Beach for her election night party.
There were plenty of campaign signs available, but none of them had the 鈥渆ndorsed by Donald Trump鈥� in the corner that showed up late in the primary where she finished a close first two weeks ago.
What was one of Evette鈥檚 biggest selling points evaporated Friday when the president decided to also endorse her runoff opponent, state Attorney General Alan Wilson.
A few dozen people munched on hors d鈥檕euvres and enjoyed the open bar as polls closed at 7 p.m.
Polls have closed in South Carolina
In-person election day voting concluded in South Carolina at 7 p.m. EDT. Comparable past elections can about when to expect the first vote results and how long the vote count might take.
In the June 9 primary, The Associated Press first reported results at 7:20 p.m. EDT, or 20 minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 12:19 a.m. EDT with about 99.9% of total votes counted.
Voter says military experience helped tip the scales for Wilson in South Carolina governor鈥檚 race
Alan Wilson has served in the South Carolina Army National Guard for 30 years, including a deployment to Iraq. That service, coupled with his 15 years as attorney general, made him John Potter鈥檚 pick in the GOP runoff.
鈥淚t seems like he鈥檚 been doing a good job, as far as I know,鈥� Potter said Tuesday after casting his ballot in Elgin.
As for his other possible choice, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Potter said she had campaigned as wanting to be a change agent, despite having served in the state鈥檚 No. 2 job for nearly eight years.
鈥淭hey could have made some changes 鈥� fixed the roads, lowered taxes 鈥� and why haven鈥檛 they done it previously?鈥� he asked about Evette.
Mamdani鈥檚 endorsement looms large in New York鈥檚 7th District
Jenna Staub, a 31-year-old Brooklyn resident, only learned that Claire Valdez was running for Congress after bumping into the state assemblymember on the campaign trail with Mayor Zohran Mamdani last week.
鈥淚 was a little bit celebrity star-struck,鈥� Staub said of Mamdani. 鈥淏ut I didn鈥檛 want to make an impulsive decision.鈥�
After researching the other candidates, Staub said Valdez鈥檚 anti-corporate views aligned closest with her own, earning her vote on Tuesday.
Anton Ljunggren, 46, was similarly swayed by Valdez鈥檚 endorsement from Mamdani, along with her support from Sen. Bernie Sanders. 鈥淚 know I should do the research, but I trust them,鈥� said Ljunggren, who works in sustainability. 鈥淲hat do I know that they don鈥檛?鈥�
Meanwhile, Brian Cleary, a self-described liberal Democrat, said Mamdani鈥檚 backing of Valdez was a 鈥渂ig push鈥� behind his decision to vote for her opponent, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
鈥淚鈥檓 not just going to follow the current winds,鈥� said Cleary, 56. 鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 still adjusting to all of these progressive policies.鈥�
This Republican supports Cox for Maryland governor
Jason Mangen, a lifelong Republican, said he was supporting Dan Cox in what would be a rematch against incumbent Gov. Wes Moore.
鈥淢aryland鈥檚 got a big budget problem,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou look at the economy and hopefully get a governor who can guide the legislature and get a good budget. I think Dan Cox is good on the budget.鈥�
Mangen, 60, said being a Republican in the heavily Democratic state often means coming up short.
鈥淚 live in Maryland, so I know what that means. That鈥檚 the nature of living here,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I choose to live in Maryland.鈥�
A Mamdani-backed challenger faces off against a veteran congressman in a Manhattan Democratic primary
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat faces a primary challenge from community organizer and graduate student Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist endorsed by the city鈥檚 popular mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
The race has become a contest over age, experience and how to best confront the Trump administration in Washington.
Avila Chevalier was a college protestor at her alma mater, Columbia University, which is in the district. She says her candidacy is about electing new leadership to Washington and has called for greater economic support for the district鈥檚 working class residents.
Espaillat is the first formerly undocumented person elected to Congress, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and an outspoken critic of the White House鈥檚 immigration enforcement tactics. He has warned that Avila Chevalier is a candidate of transplants to the district鈥檚 historic neighborhoods like Harlem.
Wilson鈥檚 鈥榣aw and order鈥� stance wins over South Carolina voter
Pam Helton, who also said she supported Wilson in South Carolina鈥檚 gubernatorial primary two weeks ago, said it was the longtime attorney general鈥檚 approach to 鈥渓aw and order鈥� that made him her choice in Tuesday鈥檚 runoff.
Wilson鈥檚 campaign platform includes criminal justice reforms like ending cashless bail and creating stricter mandatory minimum sentences for child sexual abuse material.
After voting at a precinct in Elgin, Helton said she didn鈥檛 really know much about Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who has been elected twice on a ticket with Gov. Henry McMaster but never run atop her own campaign before this year鈥檚 elections.
鈥淭he other lady, I haven鈥檛 really seen anything about her,鈥� Helton said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what she has done. I just like Alan Wilson.鈥�
This Maryland Democrat voted against the favorites
Norma James, 64, said she was initially excited to vote for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the state鈥檚 first Black governor, but public sentiment and research have changed that.
鈥淭he taxes have gone up,鈥� and other questions about his honesty have come up, she said. 鈥淧ublic sentiment that I鈥檝e found is he hasn鈥檛 fulfilled his promises. I did end up voting for Eric Felber.鈥�
James said she was glad to see the 5th District seat open for the first time in decades, but she had questions about the candidate with the highest profile, Adrian Boafo. She went with Rushern L. Baker III, a two-term county executive.
James said she braved the weather because of those races and the sacrifices that people made for voting rights that are under attack. 鈥淚 read that only one in four residents in Prince George鈥檚 vote. That鈥檚 appalling.鈥�
Who will replace the longest-serving Democrat in the US House?
Rep. Steny Hoyer is a congressman. But he鈥檚 also a Democratic institution.
The lawmaker has served in Maryland鈥檚 5th District for 45 years, including two decades spent as the party鈥檚 No. 2 in the chamber.
Now that , voters will have a chance to reflect on his leadership 鈥� and decide what they want for the future.
The candidate field offers a wide range of options, from one of his former staffers to a progressive attorney and a former Capitol police officer. The winner could offer a clue into what the state鈥檚 Democrats want the next generation of their party to look like.
Voter picked Stumbo for South Carolina attorney general 鈥榖ecause I just liked his name鈥�
That鈥檚 what Elgin voter John Potter said about casting his ballot for 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo in the GOP runoff for South Carolina鈥檚 top prosecutor job.
Voter Lynn Strickland said she picked Stumbo, too: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know much about him, but I like him.鈥�
Pam Helton said she sided with Stumbo鈥檚 opponent, state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, but noted, 鈥淚 really don鈥檛 even know him.鈥�
The attorney general鈥檚 race is one of three statewide GOP runoffs up for grabs Tuesday. Current Attorney General Alan Wilson is in a Republican runoff for governor.
What to know about New York鈥檚 voting-eligible population
New York is racially and ethnically diverse with higher educational attainment than the U.S. as a whole. Black, Hispanic and Asian people make up a higher percentage of the voting age population than the country overall.
The Empire State leans left, voting for Kamala Harris in 2024 by an almost 13-point margin, but U.S. House primary contests in the state often indicate the direction of each party.
In New York City, all eyes are on several Democratic congressional primaries, many of which pit incumbents and establishment candidates against the party’s progressive wing.
While there are a few contested Republican primaries in the state, the 21st Congressional District is one to watch. State Assemblyman Robert Smullen, popular among local party officials, is running against Trump-backed business owner Anthony Constantino.
Trump says his call to US attorney in California swung primary vote for Hilton
Repeating his baseless claim that the California primary was rigged, Trump on Tuesday suggested that it was his call that got Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton a spot on the November ballot.
鈥淗ad I not made that call, Steve Hilton would right now be looking and watching the election from home,鈥� Trump said at an event in Pennsylvania.
Trump said he made the call as California鈥檚 votes were being counted and it appeared Hilton might fall short. He said the U.S. attorney then made a call to 鈥渃heck鈥� on the votes. About an hour later, Hilton was declared a winner, Trump said.
It took nearly a week to determine the general election matchup for governor due to California鈥檚 notoriously slow vote-counting process. Hilton edged out Democrat Tom Steyer.
Trump had previously suggested without evidence that his pressure helped swing the race for Hilton, but he had not mentioned the call.
A NY congressional primary pits progressives against Mamdani
When Mayor Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic nomination a year ago, New York Attorney General Letitia James was among the first to speak at his victory party.
But on Tuesday, James stood outside a poll site in Brooklyn with another candidate, Antonio Reynoso, urging voters not to cast their ballot for Mamdani鈥檚 preferred pick in New York鈥檚 7th Congressional District, Claire Valdez.
Reynoso, a longtime city official currently serving as Brooklyn鈥檚 borough president, maintains support from a broad coalition of progressive groups, which have at times sparred with Valdez鈥檚 most vocal backers 鈥� the Democratic Socialists of America.
Rob Solano, a Reynoso supporter and self-described friend of DSA, said he was looking forward to the end of a race he called 鈥渦nexpectedly tense.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e friends, and we鈥檒l still be friends after this,鈥� added Solano, who is the executive director of Churches United for Fair Housing Action. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 like when one of your friends is hooking up with someone you don鈥檛 like. What can you do?鈥�
Maryland voter unswayed by Hoyer鈥檚 endorsement
Michelle Green, 59, said she voted for Quincy Bareebe in the Democratic primary to replace Hoyer.
鈥淚 just love what she is doing in the community,鈥� she said of the home healthcare professional.
A registered nurse, Green said Hoyer鈥檚 endorsement of Boafo did not hold sway.
鈥淚 just figured that they were all in the same bed together,鈥� she said.
Green said she had only seen Boafo鈥檚 ads, while she had seen Bareebe in the community.
鈥淚 trust her,鈥� she said.
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