- Montana has open Senate and House seats after Daines and Zinke announced retirements.
- Iowa governor race is open with Democrats seeking first win since 2007.
- New Mexico governor race features Debra Haaland, who could become first Native American woman governor.
On Tuesday, primary elections will be held in six states across the U.S.
Residents in California, New Mexico, Montana, South Dakota, Iowa and New Jersey will gather to the polls and choose which local, state and federal candidates they hope will move on to general elections in November.
Among the most anticipated races is the contest to replace New Mexico Gov. Michelle Grisham.
The top two candidates for the Democratic nomination are former U.S. Interior Secretary Debra Haaland and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
If Haaland is elected, she will be the first Native American woman to serve as governor of any state.
The candidates vying for the Republican nomination include Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, Ultra Health (New Mexico’s largest medical cannabis company) CEO Duke Rodriguez, and communications professional Doug Turner.
U.S. Senate and House races in Montana remain open as Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke announced they will not seek reelections.
The race for Iowa governor is also open as current Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she will not seek reelection.
Tight races in New Mexico, Iowa
As Grisham nears the end of her second term as New Mexico governor, candidates contend to replace her in a packed primary.
Haaland, who served on President Joe Biden’s Cabinet, is expected to win the Democratic nomination, according to The New York Times.
In the more crowded Republican primary, Hull is favored to edge out the other two candidates.
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District is also expected to face opposition in November from Republican Ndidiamaka Okpareke. Both candidates are running unopposed for their respective primaries.
In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds is finishing up a ten-year run, giving Democrats their first open-shot opportunity to reclaim the governor’s office since Gov. Chet Culver left office in 2011.
In a packed Republican primary, small business owner Zach Lahn leads a group of five contenders. Behind Lahn is U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra.
On the Democratic ticket is Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand who is running unopposed.
Recent polls done by Politico suggest that Sand is favored to win in November.
Close House and Senate races in Montana
Two members of Congress are retiring in Montana, opening their seats up to competitive races.
After Sen. Daines opted to retire instead of runnin for a third term, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme joined the race and gained the endorsements of both Daines and President Donald Trump.
Alme will compete against two other candidates for the nomination, but is favored to win, according to The New York Times.
Polls also show that Seth Bodnar, an independent, falls in second place behind Alme.
On the Democratic side, five candidates are competing for the nomination with Reilly Neill, a former state representative, leading the pack.
Rep. Zinke’s decision not to pursue reelection in the House has made the seat much more competitive.
Four Republicans and four Democrats seek Zinke’s seat, with veteran and talk show host Aaron Flint leading in the GOP polls. Flint has also received endorsements from Zinke and Trump.
The outcomes of these midterm elections will shape whether Republicans can maintain a majority in House and Senate in November.
