Voters in four states head to the polls Tuesday in a series of closely watched primary elections that could shape the battle for control of Congress and several governors' mansions in the 2026 midterms.
One of the highest-profile races is that of South Carolina, where Republicans are competing to replace term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster. The GOP primary has become a referendum on Trump's endorsements and the party's future direction. Among the leading candidates are Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who has Trump's endorsement, state Attorney General Alan Wilson, and Rep. Nancy Mace, one of the most recognizable Republican figures in Congress.
Mace has frequently aligned herself with Trump but recently drew attention after publicly pushing for greater transparency regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files, a move that created tension with some Trump allies. Democrats are also selecting their nominee in South Carolina, though the Republican primary is expected to draw the most national attention in a state where the GOP has dominated statewide elections for decades.
In Nevada, voters are choosing nominees in a governor's race that could become one of the most competitive contests of the year. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo's Democratic opponents could be Attorney General Aaron Ford and Clark County Commissioner Alexis Hill as they compete for the nomination.
A Ford victory would make him the first Black nominee for governor from a major party in Nevada history. Nevada's primary ballot also includes a closely watched race for the open 2nd Congressional District seat following Rep. Mark Amodei's retirement. Trump-backed candidate David Flippo is among the Republican contenders, making the contest another test of the president's influence within the party.
Maine's elections have generated national headlines because of the Democratic Senate primary involving former Marine Graham Platner.
Platner appeared headed toward an easy nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins, but allegations involving sexually explicit messages have created uncertainty around a race Democrats had hoped would become one of their best opportunities to flip a Senate seat.
Despite the controversy, prominent Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, have continued to support his candidacy. The Maine ballot also includes gubernatorial and congressional races that could have implications for control of the U.S. House. Republicans are particularly focused on a district currently held by Democrats following the retirement of Rep. Jared Golden.
Republican voters in North Dakota are deciding whether to renominate incumbent U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak or back challenger Alex Balazs in a rematch of the 2024 GOP primary. Fedorchak, a former member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, made history in 2024 when she became the first woman elected to represent North Dakota in the U.S. House. A traditional conservative with strong ties to the state's political establishment, she is seeking a second term and has received Trump's endorsement.
Balazs, meanwhile, is running as a more insurgent conservative candidate. A military veteran who served in the Air Force, Navy, and Army Reserve and later worked as a U.S. Foreign Service officer, he has campaigned on reducing federal spending, strengthening border security, and challenging what he views as the Republican establishment.
He also received the endorsement of delegates at the North Dakota Republican Party convention, setting up an unusual clash between the state party's activist base and Trump's preferred candidate.
On the Democratic side, educator and former journalist Trygve Hammer is running unopposed for the nomination. Hammer was the Democratic candidate in 2024, losing to Fedorchak in the general election, and is seeking a rematch this November.
June is one of the busiest months of the 2026 primary calendar, with numerous states holding contests that will determine the candidates competing in November's midterm elections. Control of the House, Senate, and several governorships remains at stake nationally.
Polls close throughout the evening, and results are expected to provide an early indication of whether Trump's endorsements continue to carry significant weight with Republican voters, while also revealing whether Democrats can capitalize on competitive races in states such as Nevada and Maine.
