Good evening. In Michigan, voters are casting ballots in a Democratic primary that has become a high-stakes test of the party’s future. Polls close at 8 p.m. local time
Michigan is one of five states holding primary elections today, along with Kansas, Virginia, Washington and Missouri
Voters in Michigan are choosing between Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former public health official, and representative Haley Stevens, a centrist backed by Democratic leaders
The race has become the Democratic Party’s most expensive and contentious Senate primary, with Stevens benefiting from more than $60m in outside spending from super PACs backing her campaign. Still, recent polls gave El-Sayed a slight lead as voting got underway today
Lawmakers are laser-focused on the race’s outcome as it serves as a gauge of whether Democratic voters favor a more progressive, anti-establishment vision or a centrist path heading into the November midterm elections
In Kansas, the race is on to replace governor Laura Kelly as she leaves office due to term limits. Three Democrats are pitted against each other for the role of Kansas governor, while Republican candidates include current secretary of state Scott Schwab, senate president and Trump-endorsed Ty Masterson and insurance commissioner Vicki Schmidt
In Missouri, voters are deciding a slate of high-profile primary races and constitutional ballot measures. The most closely watched contest is a Democratic House primary rematch between incumbent Wesley Bell and progressive former representative Cori Bush, while voters are also considering multiple statewide amendments, including one that would phase out the income tax
Virginians are choosing nominees, in a delayed manner, for a US Senate race and several congressional districts after redistricting pushed back the election schedule. Democrats seetwo House seatsas their best opportunities to help flip in November as they try to regain control of the US House. Republicans, meanwhile, are choosing their nominee to challenge Democratic senator Mark Warner
Moving on to Washington state, Democratic representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is seeking a third term to represent the third congressional district, where she faces several challengers in the primary, including Republican state Senate minority leader John Braun, who has received President Trump’s endorsement. Washington state has a top-two primary system in which all candidates compete on the same ballot and the two highest vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election.
