Voters in New York, Utah and Colorado will go to the polls on Tuesday to vote in state primaries with national implications.
Here’s a brief guide to several of Tuesday’s key matchups, as well as an introduction to what’s at stake in the fall.
Bitter Democratic primaries in New York
In New York all eyes are on the bitter Democratic primary battle between incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman and George Latimerhis centrist opponent, to represent the state’s 16th Congressional District.
At a rally over the weekend, Bowman was joined by two of the country’s most prominent progressives: Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents New York’s 14th Congressional District and does not face a primary challenge. . Latimer, a Westchester County executive, was endorsed by Hillary Clinton.
One of the main issues roiling the race has been the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Bowman was one of the first prominent Democrats to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, angering pro-Israel groups who have invested millions of dollars in Latimer’s campaign.
The race to replace Romney in Utah
In Utah, there are four main races to watch, including one that will likely decide the successor to retiring Republican Sen. Mitt Romney:
Government: Republican Governor Spencer Cox is an outspoken critic of the former president donald trump who is being challenged by Phil Lyman, a right-wing election denier. Trump has not formally endorsed Lyman and Cox is expected to easily win Tuesday’s primary.
Senate: With Democrats having not won a Senate seat in Utah since 1970, Tuesday’s Republican primary will likely decide who will replace Romney. The leading candidates include Rep. John Curtis, an environmentalist who, like Romney, is a moderate conservative; former state House Speaker Brad Wilson, a Trump supporter; and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, who was endorsed by the former president.
Home: In Utah’s Second Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Celeste Maloy, who has been endorsed by Trump, faces a challenge from combat veteran Colby Jenkins, who is being backed by several prominent Trump supporters including Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. In the open race to represent Utah’s Third Congressional District, state Sen. Mike Kennedy, a Trump supporter who is skeptical of U.S. financial support for Ukraine, is being challenged by Case Lawrence, a self-described “park businessman.” trampolines.”
Boebert District Swap
In Colorado, there are two House races to watch after Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert decided to switch congressional districts following her near-defeat to Democrat Adam Frisch in 2022.
In the state’s Third Congressional District — the one Boebert abandoned — former state Rep. Ron Hanks, a Trump supporter who was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is facing Jeff Hurd, who was described by Politico as a “businessman- friendly lawyer.” The winner will likely face Frisch, the presumptive Democratic nominee, in the fall. In recent weeks, Colorado Democrats have run campaign ads hoping to promote Hanks, who they view as the weaker candidate.
In the state’s Fourth Congressional District, Boebert — who has been endorsed by Trump — is the favorite to win the open primary for the seat vacated by Rep. Ken Buck, who retired in March.
But there will also be a special election on Tuesday to replace Buck for the remainder of his term. Boebert will not participate in that race. Greg Lopez, former mayor of Parker, Colorado, and an outspoken election denier, is. Lopez is expected to beat Trisha Calvarese, her Democratic opponent. But Lopez has already said he will not run in the fall, paving the way for Boebert to another term in Congress.
Cover thumbnail photos: Ted Shaffrey/AP
