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

It’s that day again — Tuesday is here, and with it, primaries in SevenCalifornia, Iowa Mississippi, Montana New Jersey New Mexico and South Dakota are some of the other states. Here’s a quick rundown:

California

Although he won a recall campaign in 2021, Gavin Newsom will be on the ballot in Golden State for his second term. The early voting results are not as good as the recall elections of 2021. Only 15% of ballots had been returned by the deadline 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.

Kamala Harris used to be the US Senator. The seat is up for grabs, either for the unexpired or full term. Newsom appointed Sen. Alex Padilla is likely to cruise through the race in the unexpired term.

Watch the US House elections, including the 3rd District. This district is home to 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. According to Ballotpedia

California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot. No matter what party affiliation, the top vote-getters advance to the general election. All parties can often put forward candidates for the general elections in states without a top-two voting system.

Iowa

Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley would like to be his opponent Eighth(!) term. State Senator Jim Carlin, Sioux City, is his opponent. The Democratic side has Abby Finkenauer (ex-US Representative), Glenn Hurst (rural physician) and Mike Franken (retired US Navy Vice Admiral).

There are also four US House seats up for grabs, but only the Third Congressional District will be contested by 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

Mississippi, like Iowa has four US House members to decide.

Republicans and Democrats across Mississippi will select congressional candidates in tomorrow’s party primaries. Both parties will have candidates in each of the four congressional districts this year. https://t.co/otKMr8nAAe pic.twitter.com/V2hybjFJpG

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

According to 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. In November’s general election, he will take on the Republican nominee. Alden Johnson of the Libertarian Party will take on the Republican nominees in the 4th Congressional District.

Montana

There are two Congressional districts in Montana. ABC News has this to say:

Montana’s 2020 Census results resulted in the state gaining a seat at Congress for the first-time in decades. It will have now two members in Congress after having lost its previous seat following the 1990 census.

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

New Jersey

There are twelve Congressional Districts in New Jersey. Fox 29

Trump declared that in 2021 he would be backing a challenger for long-serving Republican Rep. Chris Smith. But, it 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.

Former state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. is a fundraiser and has establishment support that surpasses five of his rivals in northern New Jersey. Kean Jr., the son a former Republican governor. Tom Kean Sr. hopes for a rematch of Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski who was victorious in a closely contested contest two years back.

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 was a Port Authority of New York Commissioner and New Jersey commissioner when he entered the race.

New Mexico

New Mexico is up for three House seats. In addition, Michelle Lujan Grisham, the incumbent governor, is unopposed by the Democrats. Five candidates on the Republican side are vying to fill the vacant spot.

Republican voters have chosen a New Mexico Governor nominee out of five possible candidates. Tuesday’s primary election was marked by concern about security at America’s southern border, the economy, and violent crime. https://t.co/NrtXk4BNuL

— ABC News (@ABC) June 7, 2022

South Dakota 

In South Dakota, Republican Senator John Thune will be running for reelection. Bruce Whalen is challenging him, as well as Mark Mowry. Dusty Johnson, the incumbent for the House seat is up against Taffy Howard. Steven Haugaard will challenge Governor Kristi Nommem.

According to 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.

Live results are available below. Stay tuned to RedState for all the latest coverage through Wednesday. (Click the “Change Race” option at the upper right of each map to toggle between the races.)

California

Iowa

Mississippi

Montana

New Jersey

New Mexico

South Dakota