Tag: primaries
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Share of incumbents in contested primaries above average in 2026, but less than previous midterm
In 2026, there were 1,156 state legislative incumbents in contested primaries, representing 23% of all incumbents who filed for re-election. That tied 2012 for the second-highest percentage of contested incumbents since 2010, next to 2022 at 27%. Ballotpedia uses the number and percentage of incumbents in contested primaries to help determine the overall competitiveness of…
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U.S. House primary candidacies increased in three states after new maps reopened filing deadlines
This year, the number of candidates in three states' primaries for the U.S. House of Representatives increased after they reopened their filing deadlines. Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee each adopted new congressional maps after their candidate filing deadlines had passed. Each state then reopened its filing period, giving candidates additional time to file under the new…
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Smiley, Morales differ on rent stabilization, Flock surveillance cameras in Providence's Democratic mayoral primary
Incumbent Brett Smiley (D) and David Morales (D) are running in the Democratic primary for mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, on Sept. 9. Mirroring many Democratic primaries across the country, Providence's Democratic mayoral primary features a moderate Democrat, Smiley, and a democratic socialist, Morales. Smiley, a first-term mayor, says his administration reduced violent crime, removed…
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Dan Koh defeats four others in Democratic primary for Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District
Dan Koh defeated Beth Andres-Beck, John Beccia, Tram Nguyen, and Jamie Zahlaway Belsito in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District on Sept. 1. Incumbent Seth Moulton (D) ran for the U.S. Senate to represent Massachusetts. Central to the election were the candidates' policies to address affordability, how they would oppose President Donald Trump's…
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The highest number of Delaware state legislative incumbents are facing primaries at any point since 2010
Eighteen Delaware state legislative incumbents face primary contests on September 15, 2026, the most at any point since 2010. This is a 157% increase in the number of incumbents facing challengers compared to 2024. Seventeen of the contested incumbents are Democrats, and one is a Republican. Twelve are state representatives, and six are state senators.…
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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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A look at the nearly 3,000 endorsements issued in Aug. 4 elections and how they affected those primaries
Endorsements are one of the ways voters learn who candidates are and what they stand for. They can be particularly useful for voters in two types of elections: in partisan primaries, when voters may find it difficult to discern differences between candidates with the same party affiliation, and in nonpartisan local elections, when party labels…
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Incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and John Braun (R) advanced from the top-two primary in Washington's 3rd Congressional District on August 4, 2026
Incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and John Braun (R) advanced from the top-two primary in Washington's 3rd Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Perez and Braun defeated seven other candidates. As of July 2026, Perez, Braun, and Brent Hennrich (D) led in fundraising and local media attention. The Oregonian's Betsy Hammond said Perez "is one…
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Primaries and incumbent contests down in New Hampshire this year—record lows since 2010
In 2026, 25% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in New Hampshire will face primary contests, a record low since 2010. In total, 77 incumbents face contested primaries across the New Hampshire House and Senate. The average number of incumbents contested each year from 2010 to 2024 was 111. Sixteen of the contested…