Polls open across battleground states as stakes rise

primary election – From California to Iowa, New Jersey, New Mexico and Montana, voters are choosing party nominees in a crowded stretch of primary races that could reshape November battles—whether it’s a potential Republican governor path in California, a rare Iowa opening for D

For a state that’s home to Hollywood, California’s gubernatorial race isn’t exactly glittering with celebrity. Still, it has its own kind of star power—especially in Los Angeles, where a reality television personality is competing for mayor as the city prepares to host the Olympics.

Across the country. Tuesday’s primaries are setting the stage for November contests in places where small changes can carry big consequences. In Iowa. Democrats are looking at a rare opening to regain ground in a rural state they’ve repeatedly struggled to win. In New Jersey, Republicans are wrestling with a House race that has drawn public scrutiny after Rep. Tom Kean Jr. missed more than 100 votes due to an undisclosed medical issue—an absence that could put their slim majority at risk.

In California, voters are weighing who should lead the nation’s most populous state. There’s no clear front-runner among candidates seeking to succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. The ballot also includes U.S. House races, and the Los Angeles mayor’s race.

Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Spencer Pratt arrived at an LA restaurant with supporters on Tuesday. Pratt entered with his wife, Heidi Montag. Some supporters were wearing campaign hats and t-shirts. while others showed up in full glam as they pulled up to the valet stand. Dozens of news cameras and reporters set up in front of a black curtain blocked off the entrance to the Mexican restaurant. and fellow former reality TV star Brody Jenner was among those seen arriving.

Even as the race draws attention, California voters say affordability is driving their decisions. Outside a polling location in Elk Grove, Rosamaria Cerezo, a 57-year-old substitute teacher, said she believes Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have failed to make the state more affordable. “Both my husband and I have two jobs each just to make ends meet,” Cerezo said.

She planned to vote for Republican Steve Hilton in the crowded contest to replace Newsom, drawn by his chance to advance in November.

Not everyone in the Sacramento-area suburbs agreed on what the next governor should look like. In Elk Grove, Tamara Alton, a 65-year-old marriage and family therapist, said she was voting for incumbent Rep. Doris Matsui in the 7th District. saying she’s more familiar with Matsui than her younger challenger. Democrat Mai Vang. a Sacramento City Council member. Khydeeja Alam, 42, a small farmer who also works for the state, said she planned to vote for Vang. Alam. who is Muslim. said Matsui didn’t do enough to engage with Muslim Americans after the war in Gaza began. “She’s not been accessible, which has been a really big disappointment,” Alam said.

In Southern California. Steve Hilton made his case before polls set to close. arguing California cannot afford to wait on change. “We cannot let this chance for change slip away. ” said Hilton. a former Fox News host who has Trump’s endorsement in the California governor’s race. Hilton said he can win if he and one of his Democratic rivals advance to the general election in November. He pledged to cut regulations and reduce costs in the state. telling reporters about an hour before polls closed that “This state needs change. and it can’t be provided by a Democrat.”.

California hasn’t had a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger left office in 2011.

If California’s races are about direction, New Jersey’s are about disruption. One of the most closely watched House midterms is taking place in the battleground district represented by Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Voters are deciding which Democrat will run against him in November. after Kean drew public scrutiny and concern after missing more than 100 House votes due to an undisclosed medical issue.

On election night, Rebecca Bennett won the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 7th District. Bennett is a former Navy helicopter pilot. Addressing supporters after her win. Bennett told the Republican incumbent he was a “coward.” “You are failing us. and you do not deserve to represent us in Washington. ” Bennett said to Kean. who has been away from Congress with an unspecified illness for months.

Bennett’s husband introduced himself to the crowd and said Tuesday marked their 14th wedding anniversary.

Even as voters focus on who can replace Kean, his own public message offered a narrow window of reassurance. Kean said he would “continue putting our constituents first,” and described himself as focused on recovery. He said. “I am optimistic about the road ahead. ” and added: “Right now I am focused on my recovery and under the advice of healthcare professionals. I will transition from virtual work to in person work within a matter of weeks.” He said he would share his experience with the public.

He had also told a local political blog nearly two weeks earlier that he expected to be back “in the next couple of weeks.”

In New Mexico, the governor’s race is drawing attention of a different kind—history. Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, setting up a potential milestone for Native American leadership.

Haaland greeted supporters, including members of her own community of Laguna Pueblo. Singers from Laguna Pueblo congratulated her on winning the Democratic primary for New Mexico governor. then performed traditional songs to honor her. Haaland thanked New Mexicans earlier on social media for “believing in what we can build together.”.

Supporters gathered in Old Town in Albuquerque for an event that included a prayer in Tiwa, one of many Native languages spoken among tribes in the state, along with traditional hoop dancing.

Democratic Governors Association head Andy Beshear said Haaland’s life story was “one of resilience. ” calling her a champion for New Mexico residents. In remarks. Beshear said Haaland helped oversee education and childcare programs as a former tribal administrator and would “never stop fighting to bring down costs and create jobs. strengthen schools. expand affordable health care. and create safer communities.”.

Haaland’s potential path in November is widely described as a break in political barriers. As interior secretary under President Joe Biden. she championed public lands conservation and oversaw a first-of-its-kind federal investigation into abuse of Native American children at government-run boarding schools. She is a member of Laguna Pueblo.

On the Republican side, voters outside Albuquerque are looking for an alternative. In the Edgewood area, the fire station serving the town is the only polling place, and registered Republican A. J. Rodriguez said he voted for Gregg Hull because he believes Hull is most likely to be elected and able to “re in violent crime and government spending.” Rodriguez. a retired sheriff’s office lieutenant. said. “The state keeps voting blue. and we’re getting hammered by policies that aren’t working. ” adding. “We need someone who can actually put up a good fight.”.

In Iowa, the mood on Tuesday carried a different urgency—an optimism Democrats don’t always get in recent elections. In Des Moines, Democrats cheered as Josh Turek celebrated his primary win for Senate. Turek smiled and popped a wheelie on his chair as he approached the stage. “Iowa sure does love an underdog, and we have done it tonight,” Turek said. “I am honored to be your nominee.”.

Zach Wahls was a contender in that race, but his supporters faced defeat as the party’s choice narrowed. Wahls. a state senator from Iowa City. later vowed support for Turek. saying. “The work that we began together one year ago this month does not end tonight. It is going to end in November when Rep. Josh Turek defeats Ashley Hinson in November.” Wahls praised Turek while acknowledging disagreements over policy. saying. “Josh is a good man. He will be an infinitely better United States senator than Ashley Hinson.”.

In the end, the Senate seat for Democrats now depends on Turek’s ability to compete with Republican strength. Iowa’s 1st District remained a major focus too—supporters gathered in local venues as campaigns awaited returns.

Still, it was Iowa’s Senate contest that became the night’s emotional center. Turek’s win came after he defeated Zach Wahls for the Democratic nomination. Turek is a relative newcomer to elected office; he won a state House seat in 2022. He played professional wheelchair basketball in Europe and competed for the U.S. in four Paralympics, including as recently as 2021.

On the Republican side, Ashley Hinson easily won the GOP nomination Tuesday for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, who is not seeking a third term. Hinson’s victory sets up a November showdown for the seat Ernst held.

Hinson’s comments after her win focused on what she described as bipartisan work in Congress. In a statement. she called it “a resounding victory.” She said she wanted to continue focusing on making life more affordable. taking on “Big Pharma and Big Health Insurance” and “root out corruption in Washington.” She added. “My record is one of delivering bipartisan results for Iowans. and that’s exactly what I’ll do in the United States Senate. I’ll work with anyone, from any party, to get things done for Iowa.”.

Iowa also featured other contested races, including the Republican primary for the Ashley Hinson seat in the U.S. House district. Joe Mitchell became the GOP nominee in Iowa’s 2nd District. Mitchell was endorsed by Trump, and he defeated state Sen. Charlie McClintock in the Republican-leaning 2nd District. The seat is open because Hinson is running for U.S. Senate.

Elsewhere, the night moved forward into vote counts. In-person election day voting concluded in Montana at 10 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. local time.

Poll closings also set the pace in other states. In-person Election Day voting concluded in Iowa, New Mexico, and the rest of South Dakota at 9 p.m. ET, and polls closed an hour earlier in the parts of South Dakota that are in Central time. In New Jersey, in-person voting concluded at 8 p.m.

As results begin to solidify. the contrasts among these races are becoming hard to ignore: in California. voters are weighing a Republican governor path built on affordability and regulatory rollback; in New Jersey. Democrats are pressing the question of Kean’s absence into a high-stakes nomination fight; in New Mexico. Haaland’s bid offers the prospect of the first Native American woman governor in the U.S.; and in Iowa. Democrats are pushing for a fall race that could be the rare opening they’ve long been denied.

The common thread is straightforward: primaries aren’t just about party labels. They’re about who voters believe can deliver—and who they believe has failed to show up when it matters.

US politics primaries California governor race Los Angeles mayor race Iowa Senate primary New Jersey 7th district Deb Haaland Spencer Pratt Ashley Hinson Tom Kean Jr. Josh Turek Steve Hilton