Republican Party Makes Progress in West Virginia and Maryland, Nominating Candidates Who Could Win Democratic Senate Seats
Republican Senate nominations were won by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in Tuesday’s primary elections. These contests had significant implications for the upcoming Senate majority battle this fall, as voters from neighboring states with contrasting political ideologies made their decisions.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump also participated in low-stakes presidential primaries, while congressional candidates representing different sides in the aftermath of the 2021 Capitol attack highlighted the nation’s deep divisions.
Maryland, Nebraska, and West Virginia hosted statewide primary elections, with Senate races in Maryland and West Virginia drawing particular attention as Republicans seek potential opportunities to gain control of the Senate.
Hogan secured the GOP Senate nomination in Maryland, positioning Republicans for a chance to win a Senate seat in a traditionally Democratic state after more than four decades.
On the Democratic side, Rep. David Trone faced a fierce competition with Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County Executive.
In West Virginia, Justice won the primary against U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney to replace Sen. Joe Manchin, with the seat likely to be taken over by Republicans in November.
Both Biden and Trump emerged victorious in their own primary races.
Primaries in West Virginia also included the selection of candidates for governor, with Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and former state Rep. Moore Capito contending for the Republican nomination.
Tuesday’s elections also featured candidates with ties to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, such as Derrick Evans in West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District and former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn in Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District.
In Nebraska, Republican Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts faced nominal opposition in their primaries, with Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon also facing a challenge in the state’s 2nd Congressional District.
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