June 2 election review: Congressional primaries


Eight states and the District of Columbia held congressional primaries on June 2, 2020. Fifty-two seats were on the ballots, including five U.S. Senate seats, 46 U.S. House seats, and one nonvoting U.S. House seat. Cumulatively, 288 candidates were on the ballot.

Forty-six incumbents were on the ballot, 22 of whom were Democrats and 24 of whom were Republicans. One incumbent, Iowa Rep. Steve King (R), was defeated in the primary. King was one of 21 opposed incumbents. Twenty-five incumbents did not face primary challengers, and six seats were open.

The District of Columbia had one nonvoting U.S. House seat on the ballot.
• 1 Democratic incumbent was unopposed
• No open seat

Iowa had one U.S. Senate seat and four U.S. House seats on the ballot.
• 2 Democratic incumbents were unopposed
• 2 Republican incumbents filed for re-election; 1 faced primary challengers
• Incumbent Steve King (R) lost his bid for re-election
• 1 open seat

Idaho had one U.S. Senate seat and two U.S. House seats on the ballot.
• 3 Republican incumbents filed for re-election; 2 faced primary challengers
• No open seats

Indiana had nine U.S. House seats on the ballot.
• 1 Democratic incumbent faced a primary challenger
• 6 Republican incumbents filed for re-election; 3 faced primary challengers
• 2 open seats

Maryland had eight U.S. House seats on the ballot.
• 7 Democratic incumbents faced primary challengers
• 1 Republican incumbent faced a primary challenger
• No open seats

Montana had one U.S. Senate seat and one U.S. House seat on the ballot.
• 1 Republican incumbent faced primary challengers
• 1 open seat

New Mexico had one U.S. Senate seat and three U.S. House seats on the ballot.
• 2 Democratic incumbents were unopposed
• 2 open seats

Pennsylvania had 18 U.S. House seats on the ballot.
• 9 Democratic incumbents filed for re-election; 2 faced primary challengers
• 9 Republican incumbents filed for re-election; 1 faced a primary challenger
• No open seats

South Dakota had one U.S. Senate seat and one U.S. House seat on the ballot.
• 2 Republican incumbents faced primary challengers
• No open seats

Entering the 2020 election, the U.S. Senate has 45 Democrats, 53 Republicans, and two independents who caucus with the Democratic Party. Only 33 out of 100 Senate seats are up for election. A majority in the chamber requires 51 seats. The U.S. House has 233 Democrats, 196 Republicans, and one Libertarian. All 435 seats are up for election. A majority in the chamber requires 218 seats.

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