About Last Night: Big Names In Primaries Edition

Photo by SecretName101, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Some big names where on the ballots for last night’s primary elections; let us see who survived, who thrived, and who won’t be on the ballot in November.

In New York, Rep. Jamaal Bowman becomes the first Democratic incumbent of the cycle to be primaried out, in an ugly and record-setting expensive intraparty fight between the high-profile progressive and “Squad” member and the more moderate long-time Westchester County pol George Latimer. From the NY Times:

Mr. Bowman, the district’s first Black congressman and a committed democratic socialist, never wavered from his calls for a cease-fire in Gaza or left-wing economic priorities. Down in the polls, he repeatedly accused his white opponent of racism and used expletives in denouncing the pro-Israel groups as a “Zionist regime” trying to buy the election.

His positions on the war and economic issues electrified the national progressives, who undertook an 11th-hour rescue mission led by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. But they ultimately did little to win over skeptical voters and only emboldened his adversaries.

A super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobby, dumped $15 million into defeating him, more than any outside group has ever spent on a House race.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Latimer said he would push for bipartisanship in Washington and diminish the influence of extremist views.Credit…Dave Sanders for The New York Times

Mr. Latimer, a moderate with a loyal local following, offered voters a return to more traditional Democratic politics. Centrists and Jewish voters flocked to him. Mr. Bowman alienated others with his far-left views and a string of embarrassing gaffes he struggled to explain, most notably the decision to pull a false fire alarm in a House office building last fall.

The result was not close. With 82 percent of the votes counted, Mr. Latimer was winning 60 percent to 40 percent.

Given the district’s overwhelming Democratic makeup, Mr. Latimer is expected to easily win the general election. At 70, he would be among the oldest House freshmen and most likely would provide a reliable vote for party leaders.

With Rep. Cori Bush in real trouble out in Missouri, the most progressive wing of the Democratic caucus looks set to be a few members lighter come the next congress. AOC sailed through her primary, setting up a probably fourth term in congress.

Meanwhile on the GOP’s MAGA flank, Tuesday’s results where something of a mixed bag for Trump endorsed candidates. While Rep. Lauren Boebert successfully pulled off her district switch and a comfortable primary win, not everyone flying the banner of Trump came away with a win.

The Hill:

Arguably no political figure in the country has single-handedly wielded more influence than Trump, whose endorsements are often enough to carry a candidate across the finish line in a GOP primary.

But that wasn’t the case in three high-profile races Tuesday in which Trump-backed candidates fell short.

In a South Carolina runoff to determine the Republican nominee and likely eventual House member for the solidly red 3rd Congressional District, nurse practitioner Sheri Biggs narrowly bested Trump-endorsed pastor Mark Burns for the nomination. Her victory was also a win for Gov. Henry McMaster (R), himself a Trump ally, who had backed her.

In Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, controversial state GOP Chair Dave Williams lost his primary against Jeff Crank despite having Trump’s endorsement. Crank had establishment backing from Republican leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), while Williams had drawn the ire of many within his own party over his divisive behavior and past statements.

And in Utah, Trump-endorsed Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs lost the Republican primary for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah). Instead, Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah), a more moderate candidate, prevailed.

Tuesday did also include some victories for Trump, with his endorsed candidate in Colorado’s 8th District, Gabe Evans, winning his primary against the state GOP-endorsed candidate.

But while the former president remains the dominant force in his party, Tuesday’s results underscored that not everything he touches turns to political gold.

One other note out in Colorado: Dave Williams lost his primary bid, but to understand why the Trump-endorsed chair of the Colorado Republican Party got his electoral butt handed to him in a race called one minute after the polls closed, there’s some background to wade through:
Colorado News Line:

Williams, an outspoken election denier, became the chair of the Colorado Republican Party in 2023. He was endorsed in his bid for Congress by former President Donald Trump.

Williams has come under fire within his own party for several divisive moves. The state party this month put out anti-LGBTQ messages that many party members found offensive. The party under Williams leadership has jettisoned a tradition of remaining neutral in primary races and has instead endorsed favored candidates this year, including Williams himself. The party in May spent almost $20,000 to support Williams’ race against Crank, The Colorado Sun reported.

A growing contingent of party officials is calling for Williams to resign or to be voted out of his role as party chair.

Williams ran against Lamborn in the 2022 GOP primary election and lost. The seat is viewed as likely to be won by the Republican candidate in the general election.

Or, as our friend and Denver Post columnist Krista Kafer put it last year in lambasting the Dave Williams leadership experience of the Colorado GOP: “Williams said the Colorado GOP’s election losses were not due to a “brand problem” but “a problem with feckless leaders.” The statement hasn’t aged well. Now it’s a both/and predicament.”

Full election results with the data can be viewed here courtesy our friend at Elections Daily: