DemDaily: Tuesday’s Election Results! All Six State Primaries. CA, IA, MT, NJ, NM, SD
June 3, 2026
Six states went to the polls yesterday to pick their party's nominee in consequential primary contests in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota.
While much of the focus has been on the competitive statewide primaries in California and Iowa, others looked to individual races where either the generational or ideological divide was being tested -- with mixed results.
| 35 of the 100 US Senate seats are up for election in 2026, with Democrats defending 13 seats (with four open) and Republicans defending 22 seats (including nine open). With a 53-47 GOP majority in the Senate, Democrats will need to flip a net four seats to retake the Senate. |
CALIFORNIA
Under California's unique primary system, voters send the top two vote-getters to November's general election, regardless of candidates' political parties. Some results, however, may not be certified for weeks. As an all-mail vote state, ballots are valid as long as they’re postmarked by Election Day and arrive at county elections offices within seven days of the election.
Governor: In the country's largest electoral state, where sixty-one candidates vied to succeed term-limited Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, former State Attorney General and Biden Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and former Fox News personality Steve Hilton (R) advance to the general election.
With 55% of the vote counted, Hilton had secured 27.6%, Becerra 25.5%, and Billionaire financier Tom Steyer 19.7% -- enough of a distance to call the top two.
Thursday: California US House, Mayoral Results and Updates on the Outstanding Races!
IOWA
Primary Elections: US Senate, US House, Governor, State Executive Offices, State Senate, State House
Democrats are looking to the open-seat US Senate and gubernatorial contests as prime opportunities to make gains in the former Midwest battleground state that Barack Obama won twice. Although Iowa has since trended Republican, with Hawkeye State voters awarding Trump a 13-point victory in 2024, its agricultural economy is suffering under the president's tariff policies and the war in Iran.
US Senate: In the open seat to succeed two-term Republican Senator Joni Ernst, State Representative Joshua Turek triumphed over State Senator Zach Wahls 62.7%-37.3% to win the Democratic nomination. Turek, a former Paralympic gold medalist as a member of the US Men's National Wheelchair Basketball Team, had the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY).
Wahls faces three-term GOP Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (CD-2), who was endorsed by Trump, and handily won her party's nomination with 74.2%.
Governor: The retirement of two-term Republican Governor Kim Reynolds gives Democrats hope of taking the seat for the first time in 15 years. State Auditor Rob Sand, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, will go head-to-head with Iowa businessman Zach Lahn.
In a Republican primary upset, the political newcomer edged out Trump-endorsed Congressman Randy Feenstra, 37.96%-37.19%.
US House: All four congressional districts are held by Republicans, but Democrats are targeting the First and Third Congressional Districts -- both general election toss-ups.
CD-1 (Southeast): Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) won renomination with 72% to face former State Representative and law professor Christina Bohannan, who secured the Democratic nomination with 81%.
CD-3 (Southwest/Central): Incumbent Zach Nunn (R) is being challenged by State Senator and Lutheran Minister Sarah Trone Garriott (D). Both were unchallenged in their primaries.
| There are 435 seats in the US House of Representatives. Republicans hold a 220-215 majority, including vacancies in three Democratic and two Republican-held seats. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to win back the lower chamber. |
MONTANA
Primary Elections: US Senate, US House, State Executive Offices, State Senate, State House
US Senate: In the seat being vacated by two-term Republican Steve Daines, former US Attorney Kurt Alme, who has Trump’s endorsement, swept the GOP Primary with 76.2% to face Democratic nominee Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Alani Bankhead in the general election.
However, most of the Democratic Party -- including former Democratic US Senator Jon Tester -- is supporting Independent candidate Seth Bodnar, who is on the general election ballot. An Iraq War veteran and former President of the University of Montana, Bodnar has outraised both Republican and Democratic candidates.
US House: Both Montana's congressional districts are held by Republicans, but the First District (Western), vacated by two-term GOP Congressman Ryan Zinke, is the more competitive.
CD-01: Sam Forstag, a smoke jumper and NFFE union leader endorsed by progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), narrowly won the Democratic nomination over 2024 gubernatorial nominee Ryan Busse, 37.3% to 33.1%. Rancher Russell Cleveland trailed at 21.7%.
Fortag will face Trump-endorsed local talk radio host Aaron Flint, who easily defeated his closest primary opponent by 27 points to win the GOP nomination.
NEW JERSEY
Primary Elections: US Senate, US House
US Senate: Former Tabernacle Deputy Mayor and perennial candidate Justin Murphy won the close, four-way Republican primary to challenge two-term Democratic Senator Cory Booker.
US House: Democrats hold nine of New Jersey's 12 US House congressional districts.
CD-7: Former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett won the Democratic nomination to challenge two-term incumbent Republican Thomas Kean Jr., who has not been seen in public for almost three months due to "unspecified medical issues." He has missed more than 100 House votes since his last recorded vote March 5.
CD-12: US Army surgeon Dr. Adam Hamawy defeated 12 other contenders to win the Democratic nomination in the seat being vacated by retiring six-term Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.
Hamawy, who had the backing of progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, will face Republican Greg Mele, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary.
| There are 24 Democratic governors and 26 Republican governors in the United States, 36 of which are up this year, with each party defending 18. Among Democratic-held seats, Arizona (Hobbs) and the open seat in Wisconsin are most vulnerable. Among Republicans, Nevada (Lombardo) and the open seats in Iowa and Georgia are the most vulnerable to flipping. Among the Territories, Guam and the US Virgin Islands' Democratic governors are term-limited, while Northern Mariana Islands' GOP-leaning Independent governor is seeking a full term after his 2025 appointment. |
NEW MEXICO
Primary Elections: US Senate, US House, Governor, State Executive Offices, State House
US Senate: Incumbent Democrat Ben Ray Lujan won renomination with 84.2% and will be challenged by write-in candidate and GOP nominee Larry Marker in November.
Governor: Former Congresswoman and Biden Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who won the Democratic nomination over Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman with 72.3% of the vote, is one step closer to succeeding term-limited Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Haaland is heavily favored against former Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, who secured the Republican nomination with 47% of the vote. The Land of Enchantment State voted for Kamala Harris by six points in 2024.
Lt. Governor: New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver easily won the Democratic nomination with 80% of the vote to face Republican State Senator David Gallegos, who secured his party's nod with 49.8%.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Primary Elections: US Senate, US House, Governor, State Executive Offices, State House
US Senate: Two-term Republican Senator Mike Rounds will face former South Dakota state trooper and community organizer Julian Beaudion, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Governor: Republican Governor Larry Rhoden, who ascended to his office in January 2025 after Governor Kristi Noem resigned to become Trump's United States Secretary of Homeland Security, is advancing to a July 28 Primary runoff against businessman Toby Doeden. In the closely watched primary, Doeden led with 30.6% to Rhoden's 25.2%, followed by South Dakota's At-Large Congressman Dusty Johnson with 23.4%, and State House Speaker Jon Hansen with 20.8%.
The winner of the runoff will face former State Senator and South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Dan Ahlers, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Thursday: California US House, Mayoral Results and Updates on the Outstanding Races!
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Sources: IPR, NPR, New York Times, Cook Political Report, State Papers
