Key facts
- Josh Turek won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Iowa.
- The Cook Political Report changed its rating for the Iowa Senate race from 'likely Republican' to 'lean Republican'.
- New York Democrats introduced a redistricting measure that could add four House seats by 2028.
- California primaries are testing anti-incumbency sentiment among House Democrats.
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Christina Bohannan will face each other for a third time in Iowa's 1st Congressional District.
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Spencer Pratt will compete in a runoff election.
- Vice President Kamala Harris will speak about the impact of the Louisiana v. Callais ruling on Black representation.
- The Iowa Democratic Senate primary saw higher early voting turnout than the Republican primary.
- New York Democrats' redistricting proposal could allow mid-decade map redrawing.
- Former Republicans running as Democrats in 2026 primaries are facing limited support.
Iowa Democrats have selected State Representative Josh Turek as their nominee for the U.S. Senate, a development that has prompted The Cook Political Report to adjust its race rating from 'likely Republican' to 'lean Republican.' Turek, a Paralympian and moderate Democrat, secured nearly 63% of the vote in the Democratic primary, defeating State Senator Zach Wahls. He is set to challenge Republican U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson for the seat vacated by Senator Joni Ernst. Early voting turnout for the Iowa Democratic Senate primary reportedly exceeded that of the Republican primary, with Democrats recording 23,236 early voters compared to 15,713 for Republicans as of June 1. Iowa farmers, many of whom previously voted for Donald Trump, largely continue to support him and hope for fulfilled promises.
In New York, Democrats are pushing forward with a constitutional amendment aimed at reforming congressional redistricting. This proposal could potentially add four House seats to the Democratic delegation by 2028 by simplifying mid-decade redistricting and allowing for passage with a simple majority vote. The measure would also remove the ban on partisan gerrymandering and empower state lawmakers to draw maps if an independent commission deadlocks.
California's primary elections are serving as a crucial test for anti-incumbency sentiment within the Democratic party. Several veteran Democratic representatives, including Mike Thompson, Doris Matsui, and Brad Sherman, are facing primary challenges from younger candidates advocating for new leadership. The outcomes of these races are being closely monitored for broader indications of voter attitudes toward incumbents.
In other electoral developments, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and reality TV personality Spencer Pratt have advanced to a runoff election scheduled for November. Bass did not achieve a majority in the primary, and Pratt, a Republican, has criticized her administration's handling of key issues like homelessness, crime, and wildfire recovery.
Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to address redistricting concerns in Louisiana, focusing on the potential impact of the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais ruling, which could diminish Black representation in Congress. Democrats are also actively engaging voters in South Carolina, a state deemed vital for both the upcoming midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race. Additionally, former Republicans running as Democrats in 2026 primaries are reportedly facing limited support, signaling a challenging start for their candidacies. The broader political landscape also includes discussions on AI regulation, including proposals for a sovereign wealth fund and presidential executive orders, as well as the firing of Scott Pelley from '60 Minutes'. The state of Iowa is anticipated to receive increased political focus due to expected rises in related discussions and events.