Democrats across the country are heading into one of the most consequential primary nights of the 2026 election cycle, with contests in six states expected to shape the party's direction ahead of November.
Tuesday's elections in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota will determine nominees in several battleground races and test the political strength of incumbents facing serious threats from within their own parties.
The marquee contest is California's race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. Under the state's top-two primary system, all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party, and only the two candidates who got the most votes advance to the general election.
The race appears to have narrowed to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer, and Republican Steve Hilton, a former television commentator endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Becerra has emerged as a leading contender after former Rep. Eric Swalwell exited the race amid allegations of sexual misconduct and assault, which he has denied.
The former Biden Cabinet member, in turn, has campaigned on experience, highlighting his tenure as California attorney general and his years in Congress.
Steyer has relied heavily on his personal wealth, spending more than $215 million on advertising and promoting progressive policies, including single-payer health care and new taxes targeting billionaires and oil company profits. NBC News noted that Newsom has remained neutral throughout the contest.
The California primary is also serving as a broader referendum on Democratic leadership. Several veteran lawmakers are facing well-funded challengers calling for generational change.
Democratic Reps. Mike Thompson, Doris Matsui, and Brad Sherman are all defending their seats against progressive opponents, while Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Linda Sánchez also face primary challenges. On the Republican side, Reps. Ken Calvert and Young Kim are battling in races complicated by California's newly redrawn congressional maps.
The state's redistricting efforts were designed to improve Democratic chances of reclaiming House seats, making several California contests critical to the party's hopes of strengthening its position in Congress.
One of the most closely watched ideological battles is unfolding in San Francisco's 11th Congressional District, where former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's retirement has created an open seat. Pelosi endorsed local supervisor Connie Chan, while state Sen. Scott Wiener and progressive activist Saikat Chakrabarti are competing for support from different wings of the Democratic coalition.
In Iowa, Democrats see an opportunity despite years of Republican dominance. The state's Senate primary pits progressive state Sen. Zach Wahls against moderate state Rep. Josh Turek in a contest that could determine how Democrats approach competitive Midwestern races.
Wahls, backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and organized labor groups, has framed his campaign as a challenge to party insiders. Turek, a Paralympic gold medalist endorsed by former Sen. Tom Harkin, has emphasized his appeal in Republican-leaning communities and opposition to Medicaid cuts. Outside groups have poured millions of dollars into the race.
Republicans are also battling for Iowa's open governor's office after Gov. Kim Reynolds decided not to seek another term. The GOP contest includes Rep. Randy Feenstra, who recently received Trump's endorsement, along with several other contenders.
Meanwhile, New Jersey features another major Democratic showdown in the race to replace retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman. The contest has become a proxy battle over the party's stance on Israel and the influence of outside political groups.
Elsewhere, Democrats in New Mexico are choosing a nominee to succeed term-limited Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is seeking to become the nation's first female Native American governor, facing Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman in the primary.
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