Author: Lara Bonatesta
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U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D) is the second-oldest U.S. Senator to win a contested primary this year
Incumbent Ed Markey defeated Seth Moulton in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts on Sept. 1. Markey’s win makes him the second-oldest senator, after 83-year-old Jim Risch (R-Idaho), to defeat a primary challenger this year. This was one of several primaries in 2026 in which age was an issue. At the time of…
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Fewest candidates running for Rhode Island General Assembly since 2010
There are 157 candidates running for the Rhode Island General Assembly in the primaries on Sept. 9. This is the fewest candidates since Ballotpedia began tracking this data in 2010. All 113 seats across both state legislative chambers are up for election this year. Both major parties have the fewest candidates running since 2010. There…
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The Democratic candidates for the 25th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts House are both running on transparency
Incumbent Marjorie Decker and Evan MacKay are running in the Democratic primary for the 25th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives on Sept. 1. This primary a rematch of the 2024 Democratic primary in which Decker defeated McKay, 50.3% to 49.7%, or by 41 votes, following a recount. In Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey,…
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Massachusetts' Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is one of several in which age is an issue
Incumbent Ed Markey and Seth Moulton are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts on September 1, 2026. This is one of several primaries this year in which age has become an issue. Markey is 80, and Moulton is 47. Markey is running on his record, while Moulton has said he would…
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Twenty-six incumbents are running in contested primaries for the Massachusetts General Court on Sept. 1, the most since 2010
There are 26 incumbents in Massachusetts’ General Court facing primary challengers on Sept. 1. This is the most since at least 2010. All 160 seats in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and all 40 seats in the Massachusetts Senate are up for election this year. Since 2010, Democratic incumbents have made up the vast majority…
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Byron Donalds defeated 10 other candidates in the Republican primary for governor of Florida on Aug. 18
Byron Donalds (R) defeated 10 other candidates in the Republican primary for governor of Florida on Aug. 18, 2026. Donalds, Jay Collins (R), James Fishback (R), and Paul Renner (R) led in local media attention. Incumbent Ron DeSantis (R) was term-limited. Below is a background on each candidate. To read more about how Ballotpedia defines…
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There are five contested primaries for the Alaska Legislature on August 18, the most since the state introduced top-four primaries
There are five contested primaries for the Alaska Legislature happening on August 18. This is the most since voters approved the state’s top-four primary system in 2020. Four of these primaries are for seats in the House, and one is for a seat in the state Senate. There are 10 seats up for election in…
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Nine candidates are running in the Democratic primary for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District
Nine candidates are running in the Democratic primary for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District election on September 8, 2026. Stefany Shaheen (D), Maura Sullivan (D), and Christian Urrutia (D) lead in media attention, campaign fundraising, and endorsements. Incumbent Chris Pappas (D) is running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate rather than for re-election. Ahead…
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Incumbent Ilhan Omar defeated four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District on Aug. 11
Incumbent Ilhan Omar (D) defeated four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District on Aug. 11. In addition to Omar, Julie Le (D) and Latonya Reeves (D) led in media attention. Major race forecasters rated the general election Solid/Safe Democratic. Before the election, the Cook Political Report wrote, "Progressive Rep. Ilhan…
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A look at the state legislative primaries in Connecticut, one of eight states with supermajorities that are highly exposed to breaking this year
All 151 seats of the Connecticut General Assembly are up for election in 2026. There are five retiring incumbents in the Senate and fourteen retiring incumbents in the House, for a total of 19 open seats. Thirteen retiring incumbents are Democrats, and six are Republicans. An average of about 22 seats were open in even…