The most up-to-date ballot tracker for Muslim Americans

Primary: May 19 | Runoff: June 16 | Special Primary: August 11

U.S. House: Districts 2 and 7 (August 11 Special Primary)

Both of the incumbent Democrats, Reps. Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell, ran unopposed in this special primary election, because of the late redistricting allowed by the Supreme Court. Figures’ race will be tougher of the two of them in November, but Sewell’s district has also been altered. The new map reduces the Black voting-age population in the district from 48% to 40%.

The real story in Alabama is that mid-decade redistricting has and will continue to dilute Black political representation in Alabama as a direct result of the Supreme Court dismantling the Voting Rights Act.

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

November is taking shape, and redistricting is changing the battlefield. The Alabama results show how aggressively congressional maps are being reshaped to protect Republican control, particularly at the expense of Black political representation. Meanwhile, competitive races in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Alabama are beginning to give us a much clearer picture of the November battlefield. With the primary season entering its final stretch, the question is shifting from who can win a primary to who can build the coalition and turnout operation necessary to win in November.

Anti-Muslim rhetoric remains a fixture of the state’s Republican primaries. 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: August 4

Governor

Rep. Andy Biggs, a prominent member of the Sharia-Free America Caucus, won the Republican nomination over Rep. David Schweikert by a wide margin (about 71.5% to 16%). Biggs has held Arizona's 5th District seat since 2017 and is a former president of the state Senate. Gov. Katie Hobbs was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and faces Biggs in November.

U.S. House: District 1

Former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely won the Republican nomination with about 49.7%, ahead of former state legislator Joseph Chaplik at 35.6%. The Democratic race was too close to call as of Tuesday night, with former state lawmaker and emergency room physician Amish Shah leading former TV anchor Marlene Galán-Woods by nearly 10 points (about 5,700 votes). The DCCC backed Galán-Woods; the NRCC backed Feely. This open seat, vacated by Schweikert, is one of the most closely watched races in the country and potentially pivotal to control of the House.

U.S. House: District 4

Rep. Greg Stanton defeated Emgage Action-endorsed progressive challenger Kai Newkirk, 68.1% to 31.9%. Newkirk centered his campaign on Stanton's corporate donations, his vote for the Laken Riley Act, and his support for military aid to Israel, making Israel and AIPAC key issues. Stanton faces Republican Zuhdi Jasser in the general.

U.S. House: District 5

Former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb won the Republican primary with about 58.7% despite allegations of sexual impropriety and claims he does not live in the district. Nurse Elizabeth Lee won the Democratic primary with about 64.4%. The district's heavy Republican lean makes Lamb all but certain to win in November.

Why It Matters

Arizona delivered one of the cycle's most closely watched Democratic contests, and it broke against the challenger. After Democratic Socialist-backed wins in New York and Colorado earlier this year, some observers saw the 4th District as the next opening for an upset; Stanton's decisive win underscores the limits of applying national trends to individual districts. Looking to November, the 1st District remains one of the nation's premier battlegrounds, with House control potentially hinging on it, and its Democratic primary was still uncalled as of this morning. The 5th District is unlikely to be competitive, but Mark Lamb enters the general under the shadow of the allegations raised during the primary, which could remain a point of scrutiny throughout the campaign.

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.

Primary: June 30

U.S. House: District 1

Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist and first-time candidate born in Addis Ababa and raised in Colorado, defeated 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette 51%-42%. Kiros, a Notre Dame Law graduate, was previously fired from a law firm for defending pro-Palestinian student protesters. She centered an arms embargo on Israel and suspending Iron Dome funding; DeGette had voted to fund Israeli missile defense. Outside groups, including a newly formed PAC linked through pass-through entities to AIPAC, spent more than $1 million against her in the final weeks. Kiros is heavily favored in November and would become Colorado’s first Black woman in Congress.

U.S. Senate

Incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper defeated progressive state Sen. Julie Gonzales. He faces Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley in November and has indicated this is likely his final campaign.

Governor

Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet for the Democratic nomination to succeed term-limited Gov. Jared Polis. Weiser ran as a more aggressive fighter willing to challenge the Trump administration in court. Bennet retains his Senate seat through 2028.

U.S. House: District 8

State Rep. Manny Rutinel, a progressive who focused heavily on immigration in a nearly 40% Latino district, defeated former state Rep. Shannon Bird. He faces Republican Rep. Gabe Evans, who holds a significant fundraising edge ($3.4 million cash on hand to Rutinel’s $910,000), in one of the nation’s most competitive House races.

Why It Matters

Kiros’s win extends the pattern of progressive candidates unseating long-term incumbents partly over U.S. support for Israel, now reaching beyond coastal states. AIPAC-linked spending continues targeting strong progressive voices. Weiser’s victory over a sitting centrist senator shows Democratic primary voters favoring candidates seen as more confrontational toward the Trump administration. Together the results reinforce two 2026 themes: growing progressive energy inside Democratic primaries and sustained Republican alignment with Trump in safer seats.

Primary: August 11

U.S. House: District 1

Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin defeated longtime Democratic Rep. John Larson, who has represented the district since 1999. Larson, a longtime supporter of unions, is about as progressive as Bronin, but Bronin highlighted the need to fight in Congress, and that message appears to have resonated.

State Senate: District 1

State Rep. Maryam Khan defeated incumbent Sen. Doug McCrory and Ayana Taylor in her Democratic primary. Running on equitable taxation, holding utility companies accountable, and investing in local schools, Khan was the first Muslim woman elected to Connecticut’s state House, and is poised to be the first Muslim woman elected to Connecticut’s state Senate.

Why It Matters

Muslim political power keeps growing beyond Michigan. Maryam Khan’s victory in Connecticut’s State Senate primary is another important step for Muslim representation in American politics. Combined with Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate nomination and Abbas Alawieh’s Michigan State Senate victory the week before, the results show Muslim candidates building power at every level of government. Khan’s win is particularly significant because she is already the first Muslim woman elected to Connecticut’s House and is now positioned to advance to the state Senate.

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: August 8

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Gov. Josh Green easily won the Democratic primary and will advance in his bid for reelection. Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami won the lieutenant governor’s race, which came after the corruption scandal surrounding Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who resigned earlier this year and suspended her campaign.

U.S. House: District 1

Rep. Ed Case defeated state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole roughly 57% to 34%, surviving a progressive primary challenge from the left. Keohokalole made Case’s support for the Trump-backed SAVE Act a central issue in the race, but Case will now advance to November in a heavily Democratic district.

Why It Matters

Hawaii’s heavily Democratic districts make the primary the decisive contest, so the August results largely settle who represents the state in November. Keohokalole’s challenge put the SAVE Act squarely on the ballot, and Case’s comfortable win suggests the issue did not move enough voters to unseat an incumbent. The lieutenant governor’s race also closes the book on a corruption scandal that forced a sitting officeholder out mid-term.

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: August 4

U.S. Senate

Democrats nominated Adam Hamilton to challenge incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall this fall. Republicans remain favored in Kansas, but the race will be part of the broader battle for Senate control in November.

Governor

Kansas voters finalized one of this year’s most competitive gubernatorial matchups, with Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher advancing to face Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson in November.

Why It Matters

The governor’s race is one of the few open contests in a traditionally Republican state where Democrats have recently found success, and both parties will view Kansas as an early test of their appeal in the Midwest heading into Election Day. The Senate race is a longer shot, but it still factors into the broader fight for control of the chamber.

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: May 16 | Runoff: June 27

U.S. Senate (Republican)

Rep. Julia Letlow, endorsed by President Trump and Gov. Jeff Landry, defeated state Treasurer John Fleming with 57% of the vote. This follows the May primary ouster of incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy, who finished third and became one of only two sitting senators (with Texas’s John Cornyn) to lose renomination in 2026—the first elected Republican senator to lose a primary since Richard Lugar in 2012. Cassidy had drawn Trump’s ire for voting to convict him in the second impeachment trial and for briefly supporting a War Powers resolution.

U.S. Senate (Democratic)

Jamie Davis, a Tensas Parish farmer and former parish official, defeated New Orleans businessman Gary Crockett with roughly 80% of the vote, carrying every parish. Davis becomes the first Black U.S. Senate finalist in Louisiana since Reconstruction. He faces a steep climb against Letlow; the state has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008.

Why It Matters

Cassidy’s defeat underscores Trump’s continued ability to enforce loyalty in deep-red primaries, even against long-serving incumbents. In contrast to progressive insurgencies inside Democratic primaries elsewhere, Louisiana illustrates the second major theme of 2026: Republican voters remaining firmly aligned with Trump’s preferred candidates. Davis’s historic nomination offers a symbolic breakthrough, but the general-election map remains heavily tilted against Democrats.

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 | Primary: August 4

U.S. Senate

Emgage Action endorsee Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, clinching the nomination in a close race over Rep. Haley Stevens and establishing a Midwest beachhead for a progressive left on the march this midterm cycle. He ran unapologetically on Medicare for All, ending U.S. military aid to Israel, and reducing AIPAC’s influence in Democratic primaries, refusing any corporate money in his campaign, while overcoming opposition from much of the Democratic establishment, including Michigan’s governor. The story of this race is the money: combined outside support for Stevens exceeded $60 million, against roughly $5 million for El-Sayed, a spending ratio of nearly 11-to-1. He won anyway. El-Sayed now has Stevens’ endorsement and will face former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in November in one of a handful of competitive Senate contests; AIPAC has already signaled that it will support the Republican. Community organizing in Dearborn, Hamtramck, and across the Arab American belt of metro Detroit was a central part of his coalition. If El-Sayed wins in November, he would become the first Muslim senator in U.S. history.

Governor

Emgage Action-endorsed Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson won the Democratic primary for governor, with the AP declaring her the winner at 9 p.m. as she held approximately 84% of the vote over Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Benson will face Rep. John James, who won the Republican gubernatorial primary. Michigan has not elected a Republican governor in over two decades, and Benson enters November as a clear favorite.

U.S. House: District 7

In one of Michigan’s biggest surprises of the night, progressive organizer William Lawrence, founder of the Sunrise Movement, won the Democratic nomination after two centrist candidates split the establishment vote. Lawrence ran on an unapologetically progressive platform centered on climate action, affordable housing, labor rights, Medicare for All, and ending U.S. support for the war in Gaza. His victory reflects growing grassroots energy in the district and sets up a closely watched general election in a competitive seat, where his campaign will test whether a left-wing economic and climate agenda can prevail in a battleground district.

U.S. House: District 8

The craziest story of the night came from the Republican side. Amir Hassan, a Christian Republican who happens to have a Muslim and Arab sounding name, supported Israel and was endorsed by Trump, and lost by 17 percentage points to a man who SUSPENDED his campaign in July but didn’t have a Muslim or Arab name: Thomas Smith. Hassan was the only Trump-endorsed Republican who lost a primary in Michigan. That’s some “anti-Muslim-ish” bigotry right there, folks.

U.S. House: District 12

Emgage Action endorsee Rep. Rashida Tlaib won her Democratic primary and is on track to seek a fifth term in Congress this November. She was endorsed by state senate candidate Abraham Aiyash and cross-endorsed Abdul El-Sayed, and her victory ensures at least one Muslim voice remains in the U.S. House.

U.S. House: District 13

Challenger and Emgage Action endorsee Donavan McKinney beat incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary for the Detroit-area seat. The upset represents a stunning defeat of the two-term congressman and virtually guarantees the return of Black representation in Congress for the majority-Black city of Detroit. McKinney was endorsed by Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Sen. Bernie Sanders, and he and El-Sayed cross-endorsed each other as part of a coordinated progressive effort to remake Michigan’s congressional delegation.

State Senate: District 1

Emgage Action endorsee Abraham Aiyash, the former state House majority floor leader, is trailing attorney Justin Onwenu in the Democratic primary for the newly drawn 1st District. Aiyash had refused corporate PAC money and campaigned on freezing DTE Energy bills for five years, ending ZIP-code auto insurance pricing, and universal childcare. Onwenu, endorsed by Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, ran on cost of living and higher wages. Aiyash was a vocal figure in the Uncommitted campaign, which took 13.3% of the Democratic presidential primary vote in 2024, and he drew criticism for not endorsing Kamala Harris. This race had not been officially called as of publication.

State Senate: District 2

Emgage Action endorsee Abbas Alawieh won the Democratic primary in the 2nd District, which covers Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and parts of Detroit and Allen Park. Alawieh co-founded the Uncommitted movement, which pressed Democratic voters to cast a protest vote against President Biden in the 2024 primary over the administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Michigan’s 2nd Senate District has the highest concentration of Arab Americans among the state’s 38 Senate districts. The district leans heavily Democratic, so Alawieh is the strong favorite in November.

State House

A strong night at the state house level. Emgage Action endorsees Alabas Farhat (District 3), Tonya Myers Phillips (District 7), Jalal Abdallah (District 15), Lisa McIntyre (District 22), Ranjeev Puri (District 24), Dylan Wegela (District 26), and Katrina Manetta (District 58) all won their primaries. These wins matter: a strong bench in the state legislature is how the community builds durable power in Michigan over time.

Michigan Senate Special Election (May 5)

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

Abdul El-Sayed’s victory is a generational milestone for Muslim political power. El-Sayed is positioned to become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate in American history. He ran unapologetically on Medicare for All, ending U.S. military aid to Israel, and reducing AIPAC’s influence in Democratic primaries, while overcoming nearly an 11-to-1 spending disadvantage and opposition from much of the Democratic establishment, including Michigan’s governor. His victory demonstrates that a candidate can win statewide without compromising on core progressive values or Muslim community priorities.

Abbas Alawieh’s win signals that authentic representation is taking root in Michigan. A co-founder of the Uncommitted movement and former chief of staff to Rep. Cori Bush, Alawieh built his campaign around the belief that Arab and Muslim Americans in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights deserve leaders who understand and reflect their communities. His election represents another step forward for a new generation of Muslim public servants.

Michigan’s legislative victories show that the community is building lasting political power. The bigger story extends beyond any single race. With leaders like Alawieh joining lawmakers such as Farhat, Abdallah, and others in Lansing, Muslim Americans are building a durable bench of elected officials capable of shaping policy for years to come. That long-term infrastructure is just as important as winning high-profile statewide offices.

Democrats already hold the state Senate heading into November. 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: August 11

U.S. Senate

Peggy Flanagan, a progressive and member of the White Earth Nation, defeated Rep. Angie Craig in the Democratic Senate primary. Craig, as you may recall, had supported the Laken Riley Act before later saying she regretted that vote, while Flanagan campaigned aggressively against ICE and Trump’s immigration crackdown. Backed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Flanagan campaigned against corporate influences in politics.

Governor

While Sen. Amy Klobuchar won the Democratic nomination with little serious opposition, the real story is that Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth defeated Mike Lindell, the MyPillow guy who was one of the country’s most prominent promoters of the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen. It’s an example of a Trump-endorsed candidate losing a Republican primary.

Why It Matters

Progressives are winning, but not everywhere. Peggy Flanagan’s Minnesota victory comes just one week after the Michigan primary, showing that progressive candidates can win major Democratic primaries in competitive states. David Crowley’s narrow Wisconsin victory, however, demonstrates that the Democratic electorate is not uniformly moving left. The Wisconsin race was close enough to show real progressive energy, even as voters ultimately chose the other candidate.

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: August 4

U.S. House: District 1

Rep. Wesley Bell defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in a Democratic primary rematch, 59.2% to 36.9% with 99% of the vote counted. Bell overwhelmed Bush on the airwaves, fending off her push to make the race a referendum on his support for U.S. aid to Israel; his campaign and outside allies outspent her by a staggering 27-to-1 ratio. United Democracy Project, the super PAC arm of AIPAC, spent more than $3 million to thwart Bush’s comeback, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Bell was also endorsed by House Democratic leadership and the Congressional Black Caucus, while Bush had the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders and left-wing groups such as DSA and Justice Democrats. Bush won her original seat in 2020, was ousted by Bell in 2024 with heavy AIPAC spending, and launched this rematch explicitly framing the race as a fight against AIPAC’s influence; the margin of her defeat grew wider. Bell faces nominal Republican opposition in November in this safely Democratic district.

Why It Matters

Missouri demonstrated that outside spending remains a powerful force, as Cori Bush’s comeback bid fell short after being heavily outspent by AIPAC’s United Democracy Project and its allies.

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 Primary: August 11 | Runoff: August 25

U.S. Senate (August 11 Primary)

Trump-backed Darline Graham (yep, that’s Lindsay’s sister) fell short of the 50% of the vote needed to win outright, setting up an August 25 runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman. The winner of the runoff will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November, though Republicans remain heavily favored in the state.

U.S. Senate (June 9 Primary)

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

The Senate seat is still unsettled heading toward the general. With the Republican nomination going to an August 25 runoff, South Carolina is one of the last states to lock in its November ballot. Annie Andrews will not know her opponent until late August, though the state’s partisan lean keeps Republicans heavily favored regardless of who emerges.

Trump’s endorsement has repeatedly underperformed here. 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: August 6

U.S. House: District 5

Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated notorious anti-Muslim bigot Rep. Andy Ogles in the Republican primary, ending his career. Ogles had Trump’s endorsement, but it wasn’t enough to save him. Hatcher, who is not necessarily a Muslim ally, will face Democrat Chaz Molder in November in a heavily Republican district. This seat is not likely to be a Democratic pickup, but it is a great defeat for someone who repeatedly targeted Muslim Americans and promoted anti-Muslim rhetoric in Congress.

Why It Matters

Even using anti-Muslim rhetoric could not save the right wing in Tennessee. Andy Ogles’ defeat is a cause for celebration, as he was one of the country’s most openly anti-Muslim members of Congress. Ogles had Trump’s endorsement and still lost his Republican primary, demonstrating that even incumbents with strong national backing can be vulnerable. The result may not be a Democratic pickup, but removing one of Congress’s most hostile voices toward Muslim Americans still feels fantastic.

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.

Primary: August 11

Governor

Economist Amanda Janoo defeated Aly Richards. Janoo, the more progressive candidate will now face Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who ran unopposed.

U.S. House

Rep. Becca Balint won the Democratic nomination. Balint will face Republican Gerald Malloy in November. First elected in 2022, she was the first woman to represent Vermont in the House of Representatives.

Why It Matters

Vermont Democrats picked the more progressive candidate for governor, continuing the pattern seen in Minnesota and nearly repeated in Wisconsin, though Janoo faces a popular Republican incumbent in Phil Scott. Balint’s renomination keeps Vermont’s only House seat, and the first woman ever to hold it, on track for another term.

Referendum: April 21 | Primary: August 4

U.S. House: District 1

Emgage Action endorsee Salaam Bhatti, a Muslim public-interest attorney, placed second in the Democratic primary with approximately 19.93% of the vote. Shannon Taylor finished first. Virginia’s 1st District is heavily Republican and this was always a long-shot race for Democrats; this outcome does not change the general election fundamentals.

U.S. House: District 5

Tom Perriello, endorsed by Emgage Action, won the Democratic nomination with more than 76% of the vote, defeating physician Suzanne Krzyzanowski and writer Robert Tracinski. Perriello represented the district from 2009 to 2011 and later served as the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan under the Biden administration. He will face Republican Rep. John McGuire in November, who called Perriello “a communist” in his post-primary statement. This is a competitive district and a genuine pickup opportunity for Democrats.

U.S. House: District 8

Six-term Democratic Rep. Don Beyer of Alexandria turned back four primary challengers in the 8th District, winning 66.89% of the vote. Beyer, endorsed by Emgage Action, is heavily favored in November in this Northern Virginia district.

Redistricting Referendum (April 21)

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

The August primary offered a mixed picture. Salaam Bhatti’s loss in a Republican-leaning district was not unexpected, while strong performances from allies like Tom Perriello and Don Beyer underscore that coalition-building and Muslim political engagement continue to gain ground heading into November.

The new map has reshaped the battlefield. 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. The August primaries determined the final candidates under the new lines.

Primary: August 4 (Top-Two)

U.S. House: District 7

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, endorsed by Emgage Action, advanced to the general election after placing first in Washington’s top-two primary. Jayapal, the former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is heavily favored to win re-election in November in this Seattle-based district.

Why It Matters

In a top-two state, the August primary is the first real test of the field, and an Emgage Action endorsee clearing it comfortably keeps one of the strongest progressive voices in Congress on track for another term in a safely Democratic Seattle district.

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 | Primary: August 11

Governor

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated Democratic socialist Francesca Hong, whose campaign was built around free childcare and healthcare, taxing billionaires and corporations, and abolishing ICE. The race was so close that delayed Milwaukee absentee results prevented a winner from being called until the following morning. Hong’s narrow loss was still impressive, as Hong was a progressive who was not endorsed by Bernie Sanders or AOC. Crowley, who is attempting to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor, will face Trump-endorsed Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in November.

U.S. House: District 3

Rebecca Cooke won the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump-aligned Republican Derrick Van Orden, in a race that will be one of the most competitive House races in November. Cooke has already out-fundraised Van Orden in this legitimate November pickup opportunity.

U.S. House: District 7

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s son-in-law, 26-year-old Michael Alfonso, won the Republican primary with Trump’s endorsement. He’ll probably win in November, but he won’t be able to wash away the stain of nepotism.

State Supreme Court (April 7)

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

Progressives are winning, but not everywhere. Peggy Flanagan’s Minnesota victory comes just one week after the Michigan primary, showing that progressive candidates can win major Democratic primaries in competitive states. David Crowley’s narrow Wisconsin victory, however, demonstrates that the Democratic electorate is not uniformly moving left. The Wisconsin race was close enough to show real progressive energy, even as voters ultimately chose the other candidate.

The state Supreme Court is a lasting firewall. 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.