Some of the last major primaries of the summer take place Tuesday in Michigan, Kansas, Missouri, Virginia and Washington. Several states will see contested congressional races with some intraparty rifts that could determine the fate of the legislative branch going into November.
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The races will once again test the strength of President Donald Trump’s endorsements and the unity of the Democratic Party as several progressive candidates threaten to overtake moderate leadership picks.
Here are the biggest races to watch:
Infighting in Michigan
Michigan has become a flashpoint for division among Democrats competing to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Moderate Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens faces former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed. The latter has captured support for his progressive platform with high-profile endorsements from independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
But some Democrats worry that progressive primary victories will hurt the party in November. Stevens has secured endorsements from Peters, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The primary has also highlighted deep party divisions over support for Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Middle East. Progressives have targeted Stevens over roughly $30 million in backing from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC. The funding comes as a majority of American adults view Israel unfavorably.
In House races, Democrats are eyeing the battleground 7th District as progressive candidate and Sunrise Movement co-founder Will Lawrence competes against former U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink and former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam. In the race to succeed the term-limited Whitmer as governor, Trump-backed Rep. John James leads the Republican field but is facing opposition from businessman Perry Johnson. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson looks likely to take the Democratic nomination, challenged by Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.
Crowded Fields in Kansas
Kansas will see several crowded races Tuesday as Republicans look to regain the governor’s office from term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Trump endorsed state Senate President Ty Masterson, though financial services executive Philip Sarnecki has outpaced Republican opponents in campaign spending. Other GOP candidates include former state Rep. Charlotte O’Hara, state Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab. On the Democratic side, Kelly endorsed state Sen. Ethan Corson as her successor. He faces fellow state Sen. Cindy Holscher and Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog.
Republican Sen. Roger Marshall will seek a second term, with Trump’s backing against Republican outsider Arch Naramore. The crowded 11-candidate Democratic field shows Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton in the lead. Voters will also consider a measure to allow direct election of state Supreme Court justices, a move that would eliminate one of the governor’s key powers.
House Shakeups in Washington State
The Evergreen State is home to two of the most contested House seats in the country this election cycle, with a “jungle primary” system where the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party.
In the 4th District, 11 candidates are competing to take retiring Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse’s seat. In the Republican-leaning district, candidates include Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney – who holds Trump’s endorsement – and former NASCAR driver Jerrod Sessler, who Trump previously endorsed in 2022. Air Force veteran John Duresky is among the Democrats seeking to advance.
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In the 3rd District, freshman Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez seeks reelection in a key battleground district with challengers from both parties. Although Gluesenkamp Perez remains at the top of the Democratic nominees, Trump’s endorsement of state Senate Minority Leader John Braun could cause trouble in the general election.
Growing Pains in Missouri
House primaries in Missouri will mark the first since the state’s Republican Legislature adopted a new congressional map meant to boost the GOP’s chances in the state. The heavily Democratic 1st District, which includes St. Louis, features a high-profile rematch between incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell and his predecessor, former Rep. Cori Bush. Bell defeated Bush in the 2024 primaries with significant backing from AIPAC, which remains a deciding factor in the race.
Longtime Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver faces a tight race in a newly reconstructed red-leaning 5th District, which has drawn various Republican challengers. A six-candidate Republican primary includes Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks, who leads in campaign funding, and state Sen. Rick Brattin. Trump has notably not made an endorsement in the race despite endorsements in five other districts.
Voters will also consider ballot measures to eliminate the state income tax and cement a right-to-work law that was blocked from initial passage through petitioning.
Old Maps in Virginia
Congressional boundaries in Virginia will remain the same in this election cycle after the state Supreme Court invalidated a voter-approved map that would favor Democrats.
In the 1st District, seven Democrats are vying to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Rob Wittman in November. The candidates include former Navy Cmdr. Jason Knapp and Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor. In the 5th District, former Rep. Tom Perriello looks to regain the seat he once flipped blue from 2009 to 2011.
In the Senate, three Republican nominees look to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Warner in November. Former Army Major General Bert Mizusawa, financial management CEO Kim Farington and Marine Corps Lt. Col. David Williams are all running a close race with no formal endorsement from Trump.
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