California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota

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It’s that day again — Tuesday is here, and with it, primaries in seven more states: California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota. Here’s a quick rundown:

California

Though he beat a recall effort in 2021, Gavin Newsom is on the ballot for a second term in the Golden State. Unlike the 2021 recall election, early voting numbers are dismal in the state (just 15 percent of the ballots mailed had been returned as of the morning of June 7). It’ll be interesting to see if CAGOP-endorsed CA Sen. Brian Dahle or independent Michael Shellenberger (author of “San Fransicko”) end up in the number two spot.

The US Senate seat formerly held by Kamala Harris is on the ballot, both for the unexpired term and the full term. Newsom-appointed Sen. Alex Padilla will likely cruise through the race for the unexpired term.

US House races to watch include the newly-drawn 3rd District, where GOP Asm. Kevin Kiley (who challenged Newsom in the recall) earned Donald Trump’s endorsement; the Central Valley’s 13th District, a new district that leans Democrat but is filled with working-class families who are being hit hard by inflation and gas prices; and the 27th District, where freshman Rep. Mike Garcia faces an uphill battle after redistricting removed a key Republican stronghold from his district.

Two local races with big implications if one is reading tea leaves for the fall: the San Francisco District Attorney recall election (Chesa Boudin), and the City of Los Angeles mayoral primary in which Republican-turned-Democrat (and billionaire businessman) Rick Caruso leads the polls.

A reminder that California is a “Top Two” state. Per Ballotpedia:

California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election. In states that do not use a top-two system, all parties are usually able to put forward a candidate for the general election if they choose to.

Iowa

In Iowa, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is vying for his eighth(!) term. He is challenged by State Senator Jim Carlin of Sioux City. On the Democrat side, the contenders are former US Representative Abby Finkenauer, rural physician Glenn Hurst, and retired US Navy Vice Admiral Mike Franken.

Additionally, there are four US House seats at issue, though only the Third Congressional District is contested for the Republicans. For the Governor’s race, incumbent Kim Reynolds is running unopposed on the Republican side, as is her would-be November opponent, Deidre DeJear.

Mississippi

Like Iowa, Mississippi has four US House seats to sort out.

Republicans and Democrats across Mississippi will select congressional candidates in tomorrow’s party primaries. This year, both parties have candidates running in all four congressional districts. pic.twitter.com/V2hybjFJpG

— Mississippi Free Press (@MSFreePress) June 7, 2022

Per the Mississippi Free Press:

In the 3rd Congressional District, there will be no Democratic primary because Shuwaski Young is the party’s only candidate, meaning he has already claimed the nomination. He will face the Republican nominee in the November general election. In the 4th Congressional District, the Republican and Democratic nominees voters select will face off against Alden Johnson, the Libertarian Party candidate.

Montana

Montana has two Congressional Districts at issue. As noted by ABC News:

For the first time in decades, Montana gained a seat in Congress following the 2020 census, which means that the state will now have two representatives in the House after losing its second seat once the 1990 census was conducted.

Former Trump Cabinet member Ryan Zinke is vying for the GOP nomination in Montana’s newly created House district.

New Jersey

In New Jersey, there are 12 Congressional Districts to watch. Per Fox 29:

In 2021, former President Donald Trump said he would back a challenger to long-serving Republican Rep. Chris Smith, but that never happened. The absence of an endorsement hasn’t stopped conservative talk show host Mike Crispi, one of Smith’s Republican challengers, from claiming Trump’s mantle.

In northern New Jersey, former state Senate minority leader Tom Kean Jr. has a fundraising edge and establishment support over five rivals. Kean, the son of former Republican Gov. Tom Kean Sr., is hoping for a rematch with Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski, who won a close contest two years ago.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s son, Rob, is running for a seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. Albio Sires. Menendez, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioner, locked up party support upon entering the race.

New Mexico

New Mexico has three House seats up for grabs. Additionally, while incumbent Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is running unopposed for the Democrats, on the Republican side, five candidates are vying for the spot.

Republican voters are choosing a nominee for New Mexico governor from a field of five candidates in Tuesday’s primary election campaign dominated by concerns about the economy, violent crime and security at the southern U.S. border.

— ABC News (@ABC) June 7, 2022

South Dakota

Lastly, in South Dakota, Republican Senator John Thune is running for re-election. He is being challenged by Bruce Whalen and Mark Mowry. For the House seat, incumbent Dusty Johnson is facing off against Taffy Howard. Governor Kristi Noem also faces a challenge from Steven Haugaard.

Per the AP:

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has parlayed popularity with Republicans for her hands-off approach to pandemic restrictions into national prominence. But that hasn’t insulated her from criticism — and a primary challenger — from the right in the reliably conservative state.

Noem will look to show her strength with Republican voters in Tuesday’s primary against state Rep. Steve Haugaard, a former state House speaker who has accused Noem of using the governor’s office to mount a 2024 White House bid.

Noem has used this election fundraising cycle to collect a record amount of money for a South Dakota gubernatorial candidate — bringing in more than $15 million from a series of fundraisers all over the country.

The first-term governor will be hoping for a big primary victory before heading into a general election contest against Democratic state Rep. Jamie Smith, who did not face a primary challenger.