Takeaways from key results shaping November’s race
Key primary results in Georgia, Washington, D.C., Oklahoma and Alabama are reshaping key races and highlighting voter trends heading into November’s election.
A liberal fight for a seat in Utah’s House of Representatives, a member of the Kennedy family known for his feud with the White House, and the governor highlight this week’s turbulent summer election.
But in the midst of four state primaries taking place on June 23, the story ahead could be a force in favor of either President Donald Trump or New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani. Because the votes will determine whether these high-profile backers continue to make a difference in a crowded primary.
“Both parties are going to test their support,” said John McGlennon, a government professor at the College of William and Mary.
Here’s a look at the state races that will be held on June 23rd, as well as some of the major races to keep an eye on.
Which states will have elections on June 23rd?
- Maryland: House of Representatives, gubernatorial primary
- new york: House of Representatives, gubernatorial primary
- South Carolina: House of Representatives, gubernatorial primary runoff election
- Utah: House of Representatives primaries
South Dakota’s general runoff elections for city council will be held on June 23rd.
Kennedy family on New York ballot
One of the most-watched races this primary day is New York’s 12th District, where social media personality and Kennedy successor Jack Schlossberg is running.
Schlossberg is the son of Caroline Kennedy and the grandson of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and is known for his sometimes bizarre social media posts. Despite Schlossberg’s national attention, most current polls have New York State Rep. Alex Boaz or Mika Lasher as the front-runners.
Will Mamdani’s nomination be played?
New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani did not endorse Schlossberg, but McGlennon said Schlossberg’s endorsements in other districts, the 7th, 10th and 13th, will be closely watched. His endorsements are aimed at progressive candidates challenging incumbent Democrats. In the 10th round, he supported Brad Lander over Rep. Dan Goldman, and in the 13th round, he supported Daliaza Avila Chevalier over Rep. Adriano Espaira.
“His ability to shift support to other Socialist candidates will be tested,” McGlennon said.
New map of Utah
This is the first primary in Utah where the redrawn congressional map will be in effect. The map, which goes into effect in November 2025, redraws the state’s 1st District, which represents Salt Lake City, to lean more Democratic. Republicans have promised to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
But a court ruled in February that the Republican challenge violated Utah’s referendum ban on gerrymandering and would solidify a single district centered on increasingly liberal Salt Lake City. McGlennon said keeping the city in one district would almost certainly lead to a “vibrant primary” that would send Democrats to the House.
The frontrunner is Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams, who represented the 4th District from 2019 to 2021.
“[McAdams]now has to defend his eligibility against challengers who say he wasn’t generous enough,” McGlennon said.
Wes Moore of Maryland is running. house contest
In the Maryland gubernatorial primary, all eyes will be on incumbent Democratic Governor Wes Moore, who is seeking re-election. Mr. Moore has been locked in a bitter spat with Mr. Trump over issues such as election security, the Potomac River sewage spill and Mr. Moore’s failure to invite him to the annual governor’s conference.
Moore defeated Republican Dan Cox in 2022, and Cox is running as a Republican candidate again this year. Cox received Trump’s support in the last election, but has not yet received the president’s endorsement.
Ed Hale, also running in the Republican primary, switched parties from Democrat last summer and said the move was meant to improve his chances of defeating Moore.
“Mr. Moore is less concerned about that than about helping one of his potential Republican opponents win the Republican primary,” McGlennon said. “The governor wants to run against Dan Cox, who won in a landslide in 2022. Whoever wins the Republican primary will have little chance against Moore, but the governor wants to make a big difference as he explores a potential presidential run in 2028.”
McGlennon points out that the two U.S. House races in Maryland’s 5th and 6th Congressional Districts are also noteworthy.
Rep. Steny Hoyer, the longtime Democratic leader in the House, is retiring, leaving a vacant seat in the 5th District. He said states that don’t require runoff elections have a crowded field of Democrats vying for the nomination.
“In a district that will almost certainly go to a Democratic candidate in November, a candidate with just 20 percent of the vote could be the winner,” McGlennon said. “Mr. Hoyer, who is white, faces an increasingly difficult situation in the primary as his district includes an increasing number of minority voters.”
Hoyer is backing his current aide, Adrian Boafo, and will face former county executive Rashaan Baker and Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, in the primary.
In the 6th District, former U.S. Rep. David Trone is unsuccessfully running for the seat he gave up to run for Senate in 2024.
“While not as heavily Democratic as District 5, this district is likely to be a safe district for the eventual winner.”
