There were 46 contested state legislative primaries in 2025. That was 16% of the 280 possible primaries between the New Jersey General Assembly and the Virginia House of Delegates, the only two state legislative chambers with elections this year.

The total number of contested primaries in 2025—46—was two more and a 5% increase from 2021. Thirty-two were contested Democratic primaries, representing 23% of all possible Democratic primaries and a 19% increase from 2021. Fourteen were contested Republican primaries, representing 10% of all possible Republican primaries and an 18% decrease from 2021.

The 16% contested primaries was below the average of 18% between 2011 and 2023. Looking at the three odd-year elections that followed presidential election years during that stretch (2013, 2017, and 2021), 2025 had the most contested primaries by percentage. The second-highest was 14% in 2017.