Voters in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming cast ballots on Tuesday in primary elections that will determine the candidates for November’s midterm elections. The contests in Florida and Alaska drew particular attention due to redistricting, competitive Senate races, and gubernatorial primaries shaping control of Congress.
Florida’s primaries featured high-profile races for governor and U.S. Senate, with Republicans seeking to solidify their advantage after the state’s new congressional map was implemented. In Alaska, a nonpartisan top-four primary system pitted incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola, among others, in a race analysts view as a potential pickup opportunity for Democrats.
Florida’s High-Stakes Primaries
Florida’s primaries included races for governor, U.S. Senate, and congressional seats, with Republicans aiming to expand their electoral dominance following redistricting. The state’s new congressional map, approved by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, is expected to give Republicans an advantage in 24 of Florida’s 28 districts, according to analysts.
Governor’s Race
The Republican primary for governor featured Rep. Byron Donalds, a Trump-backed candidate with a prominent role in the House Freedom Caucus. Donalds, who has raised $90 million and holds a commanding lead in polls, faces competition from Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and investor James Fishback. Collins, who styled himself as a "DeSantis-appointed" candidate, sought to challenge Donalds’ frontrunner status but has been relegated to a secondary role in polling. Fishback, a 31-year-old political newcomer, ran on a platform opposing data centers in Florida, citing concerns over electricity costs, water usage, and property values.
The Democratic primary included former Rep. David Jolly, a former Republican who has positioned himself as a populist candidate, advocating for property insurance reform, public school investment, and gun violence reduction. Jolly’s campaign mirrored the style of former Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, who won statewide races by extensive grassroots campaigning.
Senate Race
In the U.S. Senate primary, Sen. Ashley Moody, appointed to replace Marco Rubio, faces challenges from Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council official known for his testimony in Trump’s first impeachment, and progressive state Rep. Angie Nixon. Vindman has outraised Nixon significantly, with some polls showing a competitive race between Moody and Vindman. Analysts note that flipping Florida back from its current Republican lean would require substantial political effort.
Alaska’s Nonpartisan Senate Primary
Alaska’s primary used a nonpartisan top-four system, where all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. Incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan competed alongside Democratic challenger Mary Peltola, a former U.S. representative who won a special election in 2022. The system allows voters to rank candidates, with the top four advancing to the general election.
Analysts view Alaska as one of Democrats’ strongest pickup opportunities in the Senate, as the state has not elected a Democrat to the chamber since 2014, when Mark Begich lost to Sullivan. The race is seen as a potential preview of the most competitive Senate contests in November.
Wyoming’s Congressional Primary
Wyoming held a special election to replace former Rep. Liz Cheney, who resigned in May. The primary featured a crowded field of Republican candidates, with Harriet Hageman, a Trump-endorsed candidate, emerging as the frontrunner. Hageman, who previously challenged Cheney in 2022, has emphasized conservative issues such as opposition to federal overreach and support for energy development.
California’s Special Election
California held a special election to replace Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April. The race included a competitive primary with candidates from both parties vying for the seat in California’s 14th Congressional District. The winner will serve the remainder of Swalwell’s term and compete in the general election in November.