Key facts
- Voters in Florida and Alaska are participating in primary elections that could influence control of Congress.
- Florida's new congressional map, approved by the Republican-controlled legislature, is expected to increase Republican representation.
- Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz is running in a redrawn district in Florida.
- Alaska's Senate primary is a nonpartisan contest where incumbent Republican Dan S. Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola are on the same ballot.
- Mary Peltola is leading Senator Dan S. Sullivan in some opinion polls in Alaska.
- Donald Trump is endorsing Byron Donalds for Florida governor.
Voters in Florida and Alaska are participating in primary elections on Tuesday that are expected to offer insights into the upcoming November midterm elections, particularly concerning control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
In Florida, a new congressional map, pushed through by the Republican-controlled legislature, is anticipated to increase the Republican majority. This map could result in a delegation of 24 Republicans and only four Democrats from the state. Several incumbent Democrats, including Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Representative Jared Moskowitz, are running in newly drawn districts.
Wasserman Schultz is competing for a new seat in Florida's 20th congressional district, facing criticism from some activists. She is running against candidates including rapper Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell and former Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who faces criminal charges. Moskowitz is also running in a new seat, with Oliver Larkin, endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, seeking the party's nomination in the 25th district.
Florida voters will also select candidates for governor and U.S. Senate. Republican Representative Byron Donalds is considered a frontrunner for the gubernatorial nomination, while Republican-turned-Democrat David Jolly is likely to win the Democratic nomination for governor. Republican Ashley Moody is expected to secure the nomination for the U.S. Senate seat, and former U.S. Army officer Alex Vindman is favored to win the Democratic nomination for the Senate.
Alaska's Senate primary is notable as an unusual nonpartisan contest where incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola will appear on the same ballot. Analysts view Alaska as a potential opportunity for Democrats to gain a Senate seat. Some polls indicate Peltola is leading Sullivan. Senator Sullivan also faces a challenge from another Republican candidate with the same name.
In Alaska's House of Representatives race, incumbent Republican Representative Nick Begich III is facing competition. The state's ranked-choice voting system could also influence outcomes.