Author: Nathan Maxwell
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Keisha Bottoms won the Democratic primary for governor in Georgia
Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) defeated six other candidates to win the Democratic Party primary for governor on May 19, 2026, receiving 58% of the vote. Lance and three other candidates — Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, and Michael Thurmond — led in polling, fundraising, and media coverage ahead of the primary. Bottoms was the Mayor of…
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Record high number of contested incumbents in South Dakota's state legislative elections this year
In 2026, 70.5% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in South Dakota will face primary contests, a record high since 2010. In total, 55 incumbents face contested primaries across the South Dakota House and Senate. The average number of incumbents contested each election cycle since 2010 was 24. All 55 of the contested…
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Utah state legislative primaries show downward trend in incumbent contests
In 2026, 10.4% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in Utah will face primary contests, the smallest share in the most recent four cycles and below the average of 12.1% each cycle between 2010 and 2024. In total, eight incumbents face contested primaries across the Utah House and Senate. The average number of…
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Incumbent Bill Cassidy loses U.S Senate re-election in Louisiana as Republican primary heads to runoff
Julia Letlow (R) and John Fleming (R) advanced to a June 27 runoff in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Louisiana, with 45% and 28% of the vote, respectively. Incumbent Bill Cassidy finished third, with 24% of the vote. President Donald Trump (R) and Gov. Jeff Landry (R) endorsed Letlow. According to Axios' Alex…
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Montana Senate Republican primaries reflect conflict between moderate and more conservative candidates
The June 2 Republican primaries for Montana Senate will be the first since the Montana Republican Party censured a group of Republican senators for voting with Democrats during the 2025 legislative session. At the start of Montana's 2025 state legislative session, nine Republican senators voted with the chamber's Democrats to change procedural rules for the…
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New congressional maps in Florida, Tennessee aim to shift five more districts to Republicans ahead of 2026 midterms
Since the U.S. Supreme Court decided Louisiana v. Callais on April 29, two more states — Florida and Tennessee — have redrawn their congressional maps, Virginia’s map was blocked from certification by the Virginia Supreme Court, and the Alabama Legislature approved legislation that would set special primary elections in affected districts if courts roll back…
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Record high number of Republican senators lose Indiana primaries
Seven Republican state senators lost primary elections in Indiana on May 5, including six who voted against mid-decade redistricting. Two races remained uncalled as of May 6. One Republican state senator who voted against redistricting has won their primary so far — Greg Goode, who defeated two challengers, including President Donald Trump-endorsed Brenda Wilson. This…
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Chedrick Greene (D) defeated Jason Tunney (R) and Ali Sledz (L) in the special general election for Michigan Senate District 35
Chedrick Greene (D) defeated Jason Tunney (R) and Ali Sledz (L) to win the special general election for Michigan state Senate District 35 on May 5, 2026. Greene was elected to serve the remainder of Kristen McDonald Rivet's (D) term ending in January 2027. Rivet resigned the seat on January 3, 2025, after being elected…
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So far this year, fewer incumbent state legislators are retiring, but more are running in contested primary elections
Across 20 states with completed candidate filing data, 28% of incumbent state legislators are running in contested primaries this year — the second-highest share since 2010, trailing only 2022. At the same time, the share of open seats, at 15.9%, is the second-lowest since 2010. Among the 20 states with completed 2026 candidate-filing data —…
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Share of contested state legislative incumbents in North Dakota this year ties 2024's record high
In 2026, 38.5% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in North Dakota will face primary contests, tying 2024 for the highest share since 2010. In total, 20 incumbents face contested primaries across the North Dakota House and Senate. The average number of incumbents contested each election cycle since 2010 was 10. Nineteen of…