Primary: May 19 | Runoff: June 16
Governor
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a member of the “Sharia Free America Caucus,” won the Republican primary. He will face former Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in the general election.
U.S. Senate
Rep. Barry Moore won the Republican nomination after defeating former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson in the runoff. Moore has used anti-Muslim rhetoric. He will face attorney Everett Wess in November.
Attorney General (GOP runoff)
Katherine Robertson defeated former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell. Mitchell’s campaign used anti-Muslim rhetoric in terrorism-focused videos; Robertson’s ads attacked Mitchell as a “lobbyist for a Muslim country.”
Why It Matters
Barry Moore’s win raises concerns due to his record of anti-Muslim rhetoric. Tuberville’s role in the Sharia Free America Caucus highlights the normalization of such messaging in GOP primaries. Even in a solidly Republican state, these races show the importance of community engagement to counter bigotry and track candidates who make Muslims a target for fundraising and votes.
Primary: March 3 | Runoff: March 31
Top-of-ticket races were uneventful, with Gov. Sanders and Sen. Cotton securing easy Republican nominations. In Lonoke County, Aaron Spencer, awaiting trial on a second-degree murder charge, won the Republican nomination for Sheriff.
Why It Matters
Arkansas is solidly red, so most November outcomes are predictable. The Lonoke County sheriff race stands out: if convicted, Spencer would be legally barred from serving in the office he won.
Primary: June 2 | Runoff: N/A (Top-Two System)
Governor
Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton advanced to the November general election under the top-two system.
U.S. House: District 12
Incumbent Lateefah Simon (Emgage Action endorsed) advanced easily and is favored in November.
U.S. House: District 14
State Sen. Aisha Wahab won the primary for the open seat and also advanced in the special election to fill the remainder of Eric Swalwell’s term. She faces fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez in the August special runoff.
U.S. House: District 17
Incumbent Ro Khanna (Emgage Action endorsed) advanced comfortably despite opposition from the GOP and AIPAC-linked groups.
U.S. House: District 28
Incumbent Judy Chu (Emgage Action endorsed) advanced and is favored in November.
Los Angeles Mayor
Karen Bass advanced to face reality TV star Spencer Pratt in November.
Why It Matters
State Sen. Aisha Wahab’s strong performance positions her to become a Muslim member of Congress. Primary elections in these heavily Democratic districts are critical for Muslim voters because turnout is lower and the general election is often less competitive. Emgage Action-endorsed candidates advanced in multiple races, demonstrating the value of organized engagement in low-turnout primaries.
Special Elections: March 25
State House District 87 (Palm Beach County, includes Mar-a-Lago)
Democrat Emily Gregory defeated Trump-endorsed Republican Jon Maples 51%-49% in a district Trump won by 11 points in 2024. Gregory, a first-time candidate and military spouse, ran on housing, insurance, and affordability.
Florida State Senate District 14 (Hillsborough County/Tampa)
Democrat Brian Nathan, a Navy veteran and union organizer, defeated Republican state Rep. Josie Tomkow by 408 votes in a district the prior Republican had won by 10 points.
Trump Mail-In Voting Hypocrisy
Public records show President Trump voted by mail in the special election while pushing the SAVE America Act to sharply restrict no-excuse mail-in voting nationwide, with only narrow exceptions for illness, disability, military service, or travel.
Why It Matters
Democrats flipped two Republican-held legislative seats in a state where they have historically struggled. These results fit a national pattern of voters rejecting the Trump agenda at the ballot box. The SAVE America Act could significantly impact community members who register by mail or online; Emgage Action and allies are monitoring it closely for effects on voter access.
Primary: May 19 | Runoff: June 16 | Special Runoff: April 7
Special Election GA-14 (Runoff)
Republican Clay Fuller (Trump-backed district attorney) defeated Democrat Shawn Harris (retired Army brigadier general) in the special runoff to finish Marjorie Taylor Greene’s term. Harris significantly overperformed the 2024 Democratic baseline.
Governor
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, healthcare executive Rick Jackson defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (Trump-endorsed) in the runoff.
U.S. Senate
Incumbent Jon Ossoff ran unopposed on the Democratic side. Rep. Mike Collins (Trump-endorsed) won the Republican nomination after a runoff with Derek Dooley.
Lieutenant Governor
Former state Sen. Nabilah Parkes (first Muslim woman elected to the Georgia State Senate) lost the Democratic runoff to state Sen. Josh McLaurin. On the Republican side, state Sen. Greg Dolezal (author of an AI-generated anti-Muslim “Keep Georgia sharia free” ad) won his runoff.
State Senate District 7
Muslim state Rep. Ruwa Romman advanced to a runoff but did not win the nomination.
Why It Matters
Georgia’s Senate race is now one of the most consequential of the cycle for Democrats seeking to hold the chamber. Nabilah Parkes’s loss is a setback for the Muslim community; she entered the race specifically to confront Islamophobic campaigning. The presence of a candidate who ran explicitly on anti-Muslim fear-mongering in the lieutenant governor general election raises the stakes for Muslim Georgians. The GA-14 special election showed Democratic overperformance in a deep-red district, and the broader results reflect growing progressive energy alongside continued outside spending and normalization of anti-Muslim rhetoric in some Republican campaigns.
Primary: March 17
U.S. Senate (Democratic)
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the nomination to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, backed by Gov. JB Pritzker. She will face Republican Don Tracy in November.
Governor
Gov. JB Pritzker (unopposed in the primary) will face Republican Darren Bailey in a rematch of 2022.
U.S. House: District 2
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller won, backed by roughly $4.5 million from an AIPAC-affiliated group.
U.S. House: District 7
State Rep. La Shawn Ford won despite nearly $5 million in AIPAC-connected spending against him and $2.5 million from a crypto PAC.
U.S. House: District 8
Former Rep. Melissa Bean defeated Emgage Action-endorsed progressive Muslim candidate Junaid Ahmed, who centered his campaign on peace in Gaza and Palestinian self-determination. AIPAC-linked groups spent approximately $3.3 million supporting Bean.
U.S. House: District 9
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss won. He defeated Palestinian-American progressive Kat Abughazaleh and others after AIPAC initially spent heavily, then pivoted to attacking Abughazaleh while boosting another progressive (Muslim-American activist Bushra Amiwala) in an apparent attempt to split the vote. Abughazaleh made AIPAC’s interference a centerpiece of her campaign.
Why It Matters
Illinois was the most expensive and closely watched primary night so far. AIPAC-linked spending exceeded $21 million but went only 2-for-4; candidates who ran explicitly against AIPAC influence won key races. Muslim and Palestinian-American candidates Junaid Ahmed and Kat Abughazaleh ran strong, nationally watched campaigns focused on Gaza and opposing AIPAC despite millions in attack ads. The results show both the power of grassroots organizing against overwhelming outside money and the need for continued community engagement in these safely Democratic districts that will shape policy on Gaza, immigration, and economic justice.
Primary: May 5
U.S. House District 7 (Indianapolis)
Incumbent Rep. André Carson (one of only four Muslims in Congress) won renomination with more than 63% of the vote.
U.S. House District 1 (Northwest Indiana)
Incumbent Rep. Frank Mrvan won renomination.
State Senate
Trump-backed challengers defeated at least five Republican incumbent state senators who had voted down his redistricting plan, with an estimated $9 million spent on the effort.
Why It Matters
Carson’s strong win was notable, though questions remain about possible outside funding of challengers. Trump’s success in ousting senators who blocked gerrymandering shows his continued grip on the GOP base and raises the possibility of a special session to revisit redistricting that could threaten both Carson’s and Mrvan’s districts heading into November.
Primary: June 2
U.S. Senate
Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek won his party’s nomination and will face Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson in November. The race is viewed as a genuine toss-up.
Governor
In a rebuke of Trump’s influence, Iowa Republicans chose businessman Zach Lahn over Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra in the GOP primary. Lahn will face Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand.
Why It Matters
The Iowa Senate race is now a competitive battleground that could help determine Senate control. Feenstra’s loss to Lahn was one of the clearest examples this cycle of a Trump endorsement failing to deliver in a GOP primary, showing limits to his influence when voters prioritize other factors.
Primary: May 19
U.S. House District 4
Rep. Thomas Massie lost his Republican primary to Trump-endorsed Navy veteran Ed Gallrein in the most expensive U.S. House primary in history. Pro-Israel groups poured millions into the race.
U.S. Senate
Trump-endorsed Rep. Andy Barr won the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell. Charles Booker won the Democratic primary; he has been unapologetically anti-AIPAC and anti-ICE.
Why It Matters
Massie’s defeat demonstrates Trump’s power to punish Republicans who cross him. Booker’s nomination gives Democrats a clear anti-AIPAC voice in a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 1999. The race will test whether that positioning resonates in a challenging environment.
Primary: June 9
U.S. Senate
Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination, overcoming personal controversies to set up a high-stakes general election against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a state carried by Kamala Harris in 2024.
Governor
Both parties’ primaries headed to ranked-choice tabulation. The Democratic field included a formal ranked-choice alliance among leading progressives.
Why It Matters
Maine is now a defining Senate battleground. Platner’s win, despite significant scrutiny, reflects voter appetite for insurgent candidates. Collins is a formidable incumbent, but the environment is as favorable for Democrats as it has been in years.
Primary: June 23
U.S. House District 5
State Del. Adrian Boafo emerged from a 23-candidate field to win the Democratic nomination. The race drew $11 million in spending from pro-Israel and pro-cryptocurrency super PACs.
U.S. House District 6
Millionaire Rep. April McClain Delaney defeated billionaire David Trone’s attempt to reclaim the seat. Both candidates self-funded heavily and spent months accusing each other of aligning with MAGA Republicans.
Why It Matters
The Maryland CD-5 result is a cautionary example of massive outside spending ($11 million) from AIPAC-linked and cryptocurrency groups in an open-seat primary. It underscores how such funding can shape outcomes even in safely Democratic districts.
Special Election: May 5
Michigan Senate Special Election
Democrat Chedrick Greene, a firefighter, won the special election with nearly 60% of the vote in a district northwest of Detroit. The seat will be up again in November.
Why It Matters
Greene’s win gave Democrats control of the Michigan State Senate for the remainder of the year even though Republicans control the House. November will likely feature a rematch in the district.
Primary: March 10
U.S. Senate
Incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith won the Republican primary. Democrat Scott Colom, a district attorney, won his primary. Colom centered his campaign on raising the minimum wage, improving health care access, and tax exemptions for teachers and law enforcement.
U.S. House District 2
Longtime incumbent Rep. Bennie Thompson easily defeated a younger progressive challenger.
Why It Matters
Mississippi remains solidly Republican at the statewide level, but the Senate race is one to watch. Colom outraised the incumbent in the most recent quarter. Muslim and allied voters in the Jackson metro and university communities have an opportunity to engage early in a race that could see significant national investment.
Primary: June 2
U.S. Senate
Republican Kurt Alme (backed by retiring Sen. Steve Daines and President Trump) won his primary easily. Democrat Alani Bankhead, an Air Force veteran, won her nomination. Independent Seth Bodnar, a former university president and Green Beret, will also appear on the general election ballot, creating a competitive three-way race.
Why It Matters
The late retirement announcement and quick filing created a compressed race. The three-way general election dynamic makes this an unusual and potentially competitive Senate contest in a state that typically leans strongly Republican.
Primary: May 12
U.S. Senate
Incumbent Republican Pete Ricketts won his primary. On the Democratic side, Cindy Burbank won the nomination but indicated she would withdraw, clearing the way for independent Dan Osborn (backed by the state Democratic Party) to face Ricketts in November. Osborn came within 7 points of a GOP senator in 2024 in a state Trump won by over 20 points.
U.S. House District 2 (“Blue Dot”)
The race remained too close to call on election night between Denise Powell and state Sen. John Cavanaugh. The winner will face Republican Brinker Harding in November in one of the most competitive House seats in the country.
Why It Matters
The Nebraska 2nd is a genuine House flip opportunity and one of only two states that award an Electoral College vote by congressional district. The Osborn independent Senate candidacy backed by the state Democratic Party is an unusual but strategic approach to a difficult map. Every vote mattered in the close House primary.
Primary: June 9
Governor
Attorney General Aaron Ford won the Democratic nomination and will face incumbent Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo in November. Ford is seeking to become the state’s first Black governor.
Attorney General
Nevada Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Republican Adriana Guzman Fralick (backed by Gov. Lombardo) will face off in November.
Why It Matters
Nevada features one of the most genuinely competitive governor’s races in the country. Lombardo won by only 1.5 points in 2022. Ford is a strong statewide candidate with a proven record; the race is expected to be expensive and closely watched.
Special Election: April 15 | Primary: June 2
Special Election NJ-11
Analilia Mejía won the special election to succeed Rep. Mikie Sherrill (now governor). The race featured an “own goal” by AIPAC-linked groups that attacked a more moderate opponent, inadvertently boosting the more progressive Mejía.
U.S. House District 12
Dr. Adam Hamawy, a Princeton surgeon, Army combat veteran, and outspoken critic of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, won the Democratic primary in a crowded field. He is expected to become New Jersey’s first Muslim member of Congress.
U.S. House District 7
Rebecca Bennett won the Democratic primary and will face Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in a toss-up district that could help determine House control.
Why It Matters
Mejía’s win narrowed the Republican House majority and continued a streak of Democratic special-election overperformance. Hamawy’s primary victory in a safely Democratic district shows that strong Muslim candidates can win without establishment backing when they connect with voters on core issues. NJ-7 remains a key battleground for House control.
Primary: June 2
Governor
Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland won the Democratic primary with roughly 72% of the vote. If elected, she would become the first Native American woman governor in U.S. history. She faces Republican Gregg Hull in November.
Why It Matters
Haaland enters the general election as a strong favorite in a state where no Republicans currently hold statewide office. Her historic candidacy and platform focused on Medicaid, affordability, and child welfare make this a high-profile race with national implications for Native American representation.
Primary: June 23
U.S. House District 10
Emgage Action endorsee and former city comptroller Brad Lander defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman (who received significant AIPAC support).
U.S. House District 13
Emgage Action endorsee Darializa Avila Chevalier (Muslim Afro-Latina public defender) defeated five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat despite $2.9 million in spending from BOLD America (linked to AIPAC’s United Democracy Project). She would be the first Dominican woman to represent the district.
U.S. House District 7
Queens Assemblymember Claire Valdez (Emgage Action endorsed) won the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez.
U.S. House District 14
Incumbent Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Emgage Action endorsed) won with nearly 87% of the vote.
New York State Senate District 12
Emgage Action endorsee Aber Kawas (Palestinian American Muslim community organizer) defeated the incumbent and would be the first Palestinian American to serve in the New York State Legislature if elected in November.
New York State Senate District 13
Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (Emgage Action endorsed) defeated incumbent Jessica Ramos.
New York State Assembly District 34
Emgage Action endorsee Brian Romero won the Democratic nomination.
Why It Matters
Mayor Zohran Mamdani went 8-for-8 on his endorsed candidates. Three Democratic incumbents lost their congressional seats in a single night, in significant part because of their stances on U.S. military aid to Israel and ties to AIPAC. Darializa Avila Chevalier’s win is a direct victory for the Muslim community: she beat back millions in AIPAC-linked spending while running explicitly on opposing U.S. military spending overseas. Aber Kawas’s victory would make her the first Palestinian American in the state legislature. Brad Lander’s win shows that opposing AIPAC can be a winning message even against well-funded incumbents.
Primary: March 3
U.S. House District 4
Emgage Action-endorsed Nida Allam narrowly lost to two-term incumbent Rep. Valerie Foushee (48.22% to 49.18%). Allam ran on ending U.S. arms transfers to Israel, abolishing ICE, and reducing corporate influence, drawing support from Sen. Bernie Sanders and over $2 million in outside backing.
Why It Matters
Allam’s near-victory in a Democratic primary signals a growing progressive coalition and previews the spending battles and intra-party divisions that will define November. Her campaign demonstrated strong support for bold positions on Gaza and immigration even in a loss.
Primary: May 5
U.S. Senate
Former Sen. Sherrod Brown secured the Democratic nomination and will face appointed incumbent Republican Sen. Jon Husted in what is expected to be one of the most expensive Senate races of the cycle.
Governor
Vivek Ramaswamy won the Republican nomination despite attacks from some “America First” Republicans. Dr. Amy Acton ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Why It Matters
The Brown vs. Husted matchup is a marquee battleground that could be decisive for Senate control. Brown’s working-class appeal and name recognition make him competitive in a state that has trended Republican. National Democratic spending is expected to follow.
Primary: June 16 | Runoffs: August
Governor
Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Sen. Mike Mazzei advanced to an August runoff. One candidate who did not advance ran a campaign featuring rhetoric against gender-affirming care and Muslims.
U.S. Senate
Rep. Kevin Hern easily won the Republican nomination. On the Democratic side, N'kiyla Jasmine Thomas and Jim Priest advanced to an August runoff.
Why It Matters
Anti-Muslim rhetoric appeared in down-ballot races, including the attorney general primary, showing how normalized such messaging has become in some Republican contests. The gubernatorial and Senate runoffs will determine the final matchups in a solidly Republican state.
Primary: May 19
Governor
State Sen. Christine Drazan won the Republican nomination and will face Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek in a rematch. Drazan lost to Kotek by less than 4 points in 2022. Oregon has not elected a Republican governor since 1982.
Why It Matters
The rematch gives Democrats a strong position in a traditionally blue state, but Drazan’s narrow 2022 loss means the race could tighten with national attention and spending.
Primary: May 19
Governor
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican Stacy Garrity (state treasurer) both ran unopposed in their primaries and will face off in November.
U.S. House District 3
State Rep. Chris Rabb (Democratic Socialist, critical of Israel and AIPAC) won the Democratic nomination in an upset over better-funded establishment candidates. The district is +40 Democratic, so he is heavily favored in November.
U.S. House District 7
Bob Brooks, a union leader and retired firefighter, won a crowded Democratic primary where some opponents were funded by Republican PACs (a strategy to nominate weaker general-election opponents).
Why It Matters
Rabb’s victory is considered an upset that may preview the direction of the Democratic Party in safe seats. Republican PAC spending in Democratic primaries to “help” weaker candidates advance is a tactic also used by AIPAC-aligned groups in other states. PA-7 remains a key battleground for House control.
Primary: June 9 | Runoff: June 23
U.S. Senate
Incumbent Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham won his primary and will face pediatrician Annie Andrews in November. Andrews previously ran a strong race against Rep. Nancy Mace in 2022.
Governor (GOP Runoff)
State Attorney General Alan Wilson defeated Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (initially Trump-endorsed) in the runoff. Trump had endorsed Evette, then later said he supported both. Wilson will face Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson in November. South Carolina has not elected a Democratic governor since 2003.
Why It Matters
South Carolina’s governor’s race previewed the limits of Trump’s endorsement power: a candidate he initially backed lost the runoff. Nancy Mace, who had courted Trump while also voting to release Epstein files, finished a distant fifth. Wilson’s win continues a pattern of Trump-endorsed gubernatorial candidates underperforming in 2026.
Primary: June 2
U.S. House District 1
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley won the Republican nomination for the state’s lone congressional district (vacated by Rep. Dusty Johnson, who ran for governor). The district is among the most Republican-friendly in the nation.
Why It Matters
Jackley has a clear path to Congress in November in a safely Republican seat. The race had limited drama but fits the broader pattern of straightforward nominations in deep-red districts.
Primary: March 3 | Runoff: May 26
U.S. Senate (Republican runoff)
Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. Both candidates used extensive anti-Muslim rhetoric. Paxton won with fewer runoff votes than Cornyn received in March. Paxton will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November.
Attorney General
State Sen. Mayes Middleton (“MAGA Mayes”) defeated U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (founding member of the Sharia Free America Caucus). Both campaigns featured anti-Muslim advertising, including calls for mass deportation of Muslims. Middleton will face Democratic state Sen. Nathan Johnson.
Texas Railroad Commissioner (Republican runoff)
Bo French (former Tarrant County GOP chair with a history of racist remarks) narrowly defeated incumbent Jim Wright after waging an anti-Muslim, anti-Chinese, anti-immigrant campaign. French is favored against Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal.
Lieutenant Governor (Democratic runoff)
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin won the Democratic nomination and will face incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
U.S. House District 9 (redrawn)
Army combat veteran Alexandra del Moral-Mealer (Trump-backed) easily defeated state Rep. Briscoe Cain. The district was redrawn to favor Republicans and oust Rep. Al Green.
U.S. House District 18 (redrawn)
Incumbent Christian Menefee defeated Emgage Action-endorsed Rep. Al Green after Green’s original district was redrawn to become majority-Republican. Green had been a consistent critic of Trump and a strong voice on Palestine and human rights.
U.S. House District 33 (redrawn)
Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred won the Democratic nomination in a heated primary against current Rep. Julie Johnson. Allred has been criticized for past support of Republican-led immigration bills and reluctance to end military aid to Israel.
U.S. House District 35 (redrawn)
Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputy Johnny Garcia defeated housing activist Maureen Galindo after Galindo’s antisemitic comments drew national attention. This appears to be another case of shadowy Republican PACs promoting weaker Democratic candidates.
State Board of Education District 7 (Democratic runoff)
Emgage Action-endorsed educator Tiffany Perkinz narrowly defeated her opponent by 543 votes and will face an incumbent known for racially inflammatory and anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Harris County Judge (Democratic runoff – Houston)
Emgage Action-endorsed Letitia Plummer (first Muslim woman elected to Houston City Council) upset former Mayor Annise Parker and is positioned to become the first African American and first Muslim county executive in Texas and the South.
Texas House District 149 (Democratic runoff)
Emgage Action endorsee Dr. Darlene Breaux (Alief ISD Board President) defeated 21-year incumbent Rep. Hubert Vo.
Fort Bend County Judge (Democratic runoff)
Emgage Action-endorsed Dexter McCoy won comfortably and is favored in November.
Frisco Mayor (Update from June 17)
Mark Hill defeated Rod Vilhauer, who centered his campaign on anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric (“sharia-fication,” “Indian takeover,” comparing Indian residents to “rats”). Hill visited local masjids and ran on inclusion. Turnout exceeded 30,000 in the runoff.
Why It Matters
Texas is now a genuine Senate battleground. Paxton’s win (aided by a late Trump endorsement) shows the power of Trump’s influence but also the toxicity of anti-Muslim rhetoric even when deployed by both sides. AIPAC-backed candidates lost several key Democratic runoffs. Rep. Al Green’s forced move out of his district after controversial mid-decade redistricting removes one of the strongest congressional voices on Palestine and human rights. At the local level, Emgage Action-endorsed candidates like Letitia Plummer, Dr. Darlene Breaux, and Dexter McCoy scored major upsets and wins, proving organized Muslim and progressive voters can deliver in diverse counties. Frisco’s rejection of overt anti-Muslim campaigning shows that such politics can be defeated when communities organize and turn out. The Texas GOP convention’s overt Islamophobia (including a Muslim delegate being told to “convert or leave”) is a warning sign of where parts of the party base stand.
Primary: June 23
U.S. House District 1
Former congressman Ben McAdams won the Democratic nomination with 60.2%. Young Muslim Somali-American candidate Liban Mohamed received 12% after winning 51% of the delegate vote at the state convention. McAdams’s money and name recognition proved decisive in a split progressive field.
Why It Matters
Liban Mohamed’s campaign showed that a young Muslim Somali American can build a real coalition and run a credible congressional race in a Rocky Mountain state. Although he lost, his closing message—that the campaign was about awakening his community rather than one election outcome—frames the longer-term impact of such candidacies.
Referendum: April 21
Redistricting Referendum
Virginia voters approved a mid-decade redistricting plan that bypasses the state’s bipartisan commission. The new map gives Democrats an advantage in 10 of Virginia’s 11 House districts (currently they hold 6). The referendum shattered spending records with at least $85 million raised. Targeted Republican seats include those held by Reps. Robert Wittman, Jen Kiggans, John McGuire, and Ben Cline. Three of the affected Republicans (Cline, McGuire, and Morgan Griffith) are members of the “Sharia Free America” caucus.
Why It Matters
This is one of the most extreme political gerrymanders of the 2026 cycle, locking in Democratic advantage in 10 of 11 districts. Combined with Democratic redistricting gains elsewhere, it shifts the national balance. The fact that several targeted Republican members belong to an explicitly anti-Muslim caucus makes the map change particularly relevant for Muslim communities in Virginia. Primaries in August will determine the final candidates under the new lines.
Primary: June 16
Mayor
Council member Janeese Lewis George, a democratic socialist, led the Democratic primary (DC’s first using ranked-choice voting). Round-by-round results continued to be released after initial tallies.
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
Council member Robert White won the race to succeed longtime Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton after a campaign marked by opposition research and questions about outside donors.
Why It Matters
DC’s overwhelmingly Democratic electorate makes the primary the decisive contest. Lewis George’s strong showing reflects progressive energy in the city. The delegate race highlighted how opposition research and donor scrutiny can shape outcomes even in safe Democratic territory.
Primary: May 12
U.S. Senate
Incumbent GOP Sen. Shelley Moore Capito fended off five primary challengers. Democrats nominated Rachel Anderson. West Virginia remains one of the reddest states in the country.
Why It Matters
Capito is heavily favored in November. The race is not expected to be competitive, but it illustrates the challenges Democrats face in deeply red states even when fielding credible candidates.
State Supreme Court: April 7
State Supreme Court
Liberal-backed Court of Appeals Judge Chris Taylor defeated conservative-backed Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar, expanding the court’s liberal majority from 4–3 to 5–2—the widest liberal edge in decades. Total spending came in under $9 million (far below previous record cycles that included heavy spending by Elon Musk).
Why It Matters
The liberal majority is now locked in through at least 2030, covering the next presidential election cycle. The court is expected to weigh in on abortion rights, redistricting, and voting access cases. This outcome represents a significant Democratic swing signal and creates a judicial firewall against GOP legislative efforts on voting and redistricting.
