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Politics
Jun 16, 2026
Analyzed by Llama- 4 Scout 17B 16E Instruct

US Primary Elections: Key Races and Candidates to Watch

AI Summary
Primary elections are taking place in several US states, including Alabama, California, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Washington, DC, as the country prepares for the midterm elections in November.

The Lead-Up to the Midterm Elections

Voters will head to the polls in several states and the national capital this week as the United States takes another step towards the all-important midterm elections in November, when control of the US Congress will be on the line.

Primary Elections: A Crucial Step in the Electoral Process

Primary elections, which take place to select a political party’s candidate in the general election, are scheduled in Alabama, California, Georgia, Oklahoma, and the capital city of Washington, DC.

Alabama Primary Elections: A Test of Trump's Influence

Residents of Alabama will choose a candidate in the Republican primary to succeed Senator Tommy Tuberville, who chose to run for governor rather than seek a second congressional term.

  • A first-round vote on May 19 failed to yield a clear winner, sending two candidates, former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson and Trump-backed Congressman Barry Moore, into a Republican run-off on June 16.
  • The race will test Trump’s continued sway over Republican voters.

California Primary Elections: A Special Election for the 14th Congressional District

California is holding a primary vote ahead of a special election for the seat of former House of Representatives member Eric Swalwell.

  • Swalwell resigned his House seat in April over allegations of sexual abuse.
  • Governor Gavin Newsom announced that a special election to replace him in the state’s 14th Congressional District would take place on August 18, with a special primary on June 16.

Georgia Primary Elections: A Battleground State for the US Senate

Voters in Georgia will choose candidates for races in the US Senate and the state’s gubernatorial contest, with the southern state closely watched as a notable battleground for control of the US Senate in November.

  • Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is seeking re-election, while Republicans will hope to claim his seat and restrict Democrats’ path to a majority in the upper house of Congress.

Oklahoma Primary Elections: A Series of Contests for Federal and State-Level Positions

A series of primary races for federal and state-level positions is taking place in Oklahoma, with a race to replace Governor Kevin Stitt among the most-watched.

  • The contest to succeed Stitt, who is term-limited from running again, has pulled in nine contenders.

Washington, DC Primary Elections: A Competitive Democratic Mayoral Primary

The nation’s capital, Washington, DC, is also holding a districtwide primary, with several municipal and federal positions up for grabs.

  • The city found itself at the centre of Trump’s deployment of federal agents and troops to largely Democrat-led US cities last year.