US Primary Elections 2026: Key Results and Emerging Midterm Battlegrounds

Trump's Endorsement Power Tested: President Donald Trump's endorsements continued to be a significant factor, particularly in Republican primaries. However, his influence was not absolute, as seen in Iowa where a Trump-backed candidate was defeated, highlighting a more nuanced impact on voter decisions.

Intriguing Democratic Battles: The primaries featured compelling contests between progressive and establishment wings of the Democratic Party, particularly in Senate races in Iowa and Maine, signaling internal party debates over future direction and leadership.

Candidate Controversies Impact Campaigns: Personal conduct and past remarks became central themes in several races, most notably with Maine's Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, underscoring the intense scrutiny candidates face in modern political campaigns.

Midterm Landscape Taking Shape: These primary results have directly influenced the formation of battleground races across the country for governorships, House, and Senate seats, laying the groundwork for the critical 2026 midterm elections.

South Carolina Governor (Republican): The gubernatorial primary saw a crowded field vying to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who secured President Trump's "complete and total endorsement," faced strong competition from Rep. Nancy Mace and others. The race was further complicated by an alleged physical altercation involving a member of Evette's campaign and a Mace supporter, an incident Mace publicly condemned. Experts note that South Carolina's significant population growth has brought new concerns over housing, jobs, and healthcare, issues that candidates actively addressed.

Maine Senate (Democratic): Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and military combat veteran, was the presumptive Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. However, his campaign was shadowed by a series of controversies, including reports of sexually explicit messages exchanged with women while married, offensive social media posts, and a Nazi-linked tattoo. A former campaign director, Genevieve McDonald, publicly called Platner "disturbed" and questioned his integrity. Despite these challenges, Platner was expected to face longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election. Maine's use of ranked-choice voting could lead to prolonged counting in close races.

Nevada and North Dakota: In Nevada's Second Congressional District, the race to replace retiring Rep. Mark Amodei saw President Trump endorse David Flippo, contrasting with Amodei's support for James Settelmeyer, a long-serving state legislator. North Dakota also held primaries for its House seats.

Iowa: The Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary delivered a significant upset as Zach Lahn defeated Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra. Lahn benefited from support aligned with the "Make America Healthy Again" movement and a late push from influential conservative radio host Steve Deace. On the Democratic side, moderate state Rep. Josh Turek won the Senate primary, a victory for the party's establishment over progressive challenger Zach Wahls, who was backed by Senator Elizabeth Warren. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R), endorsed by Trump, secured the Republican Senate nomination.

California: California's crowded gubernatorial primary remained too close to call for some time due to the slow tabulation of mail-in ballots. Key Democratic contenders included former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire activist Tom Steyer, alongside Trump-endorsed Republican Steve Hilton. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass advanced to a runoff for re-election. Republican state Rep. James Gallagher won a special election for a vacant House seat, adding another Republican vote to a slim majority.

Other Key States: Montana's Republican Senate primary was won by Kurt Alme, a Trump-endorsed candidate. In New Jersey, Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, won the Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District, setting up a contest against incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr., whose extended absence due to a "personal medical issue" had drawn scrutiny. Adam Hamawy, a progressive surgeon, won the Democratic primary for New Jersey's 12th District. New Mexico saw former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland win the Democratic gubernatorial primary, while incumbent Ben Ray Luján secured the Democratic Senate primary. In South Dakota, incumbent Republican Senator Mike Rounds won his primary, and Toby Doeden, branding himself as a "political outsider" and Trump supporter, advanced to a runoff in the Republican gubernatorial race.

Fox News Digital: South Carolina, Maine, Nevada and North Dakota primary results{:target="_blank"}

NBC News: Election highlights: Polls close in California as key midterm matchups take shape in Iowa, New Jersey and 3 other states{:target="_blank"}

USA Today: Nancy Mace, Graham Platner and more primary elections to watch{:target="_blank"}

Q: Which states held primary elections on June 9, 2026?

A: Voters participated in primaries in South Carolina, Maine, Nevada, and North Dakota on June 9, 2026.

Q: How did President Trump's endorsements fare in these primaries?

A: President Trump's endorsements showed mixed results. While some endorsed candidates like Pamela Evette in South Carolina secured nominations, others, such as Randy Feenstra in Iowa, were defeated, indicating that a presidential endorsement, while powerful, is not always a guaranteed victory.

Q: What controversies surrounded Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner?

A: Graham Platner faced significant scrutiny regarding sexually explicit messages, offensive social media posts, a Nazi-linked tattoo, and public criticism from a former campaign director concerning his integrity and behavior.

Q: What role did mail-in ballots play in the California primaries?

A: A substantial number of mail-in ballots in California meant that key races, including the gubernatorial primary, remained unsettled for an extended period, with results gradually being tabulated over days or weeks after Election Day.

Stay Informed on Local and National Trends: Primary elections are crucial indicators of voter sentiment and can forecast broader trends for the general election. Understanding the local dynamics, such as South Carolina's focus on population growth issues, can provide deeper insights.

Evaluate Candidate Integrity: The controversies surrounding candidates like Graham Platner highlight the importance of voters assessing not just policy positions, but also a candidate's character and past conduct.

Recognize the Shifting Influence of Endorsements: While high-profile endorsements, particularly from a former president, can be influential, they are not always decisive. This emphasizes the importance of independent research into all candidates.

Prepare for Evolving Battlegrounds: These primaries have identified key battleground districts and states that will be hotly contested in the November midterms. Anticipate intensified campaigning and focus on these areas.