The key matchups have been set for the Senate races in Maryland and West Virginia following the Tuesday primaries where two Republican governors, one former and one sitting, advanced, and a Democratic county executive defeated a congressman who invested millions in his own campaign. In Maryland, former Gov. Larry Hogan won the Republican primary, while Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks beat Rep. David Trone in the Democratic primary. In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice won the GOP primary, setting the stage for a matchup with the Democratic nominee Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott.
Moderate House Republicans were able to fend off conservative challengers, and Republicans in West Virginia selected their nominee to replace Justice in the governor’s office. Although these contests weren’t in competitive states, there were signs of some Republican voters opposing Trump, with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley performing well in Nebraska and Maryland. These primaries offer a glimpse into the changing dynamics within the Republican Party.
David Trone’s massive spending in Maryland did not help him win the Democratic Senate primary against Alsobrooks. Alsobrooks will face former Gov. Larry Hogan in November, creating a competitive race that Democrats cannot afford to lose for control of the Senate. Trone pledged to spend even more if nominated but was unsuccessful. Hogan’s candidacy could complicate matters for Democrats, requiring significant investment in the race.
In West Virginia, Republicans are in a strong position to flip the Senate seat held by retiring Democrat Joe Manchin. Justice won the GOP primary and will face Elliott in November. Although Justice was elected governor as a Democrat, he switched his party affiliation early in his first term. Manchin, the only remaining statewide Democrat, held onto his seat amidst a heavily Republican state.
In Maryland, state Sen. Sarah Elfreth emerged as the winner of the Congressional primary with support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and organized labor. Elfreth defeated the preferred candidate of several Democratic leaders and is projected to win comfortably. It was a good night for moderate House Republican incumbents, as Rep. Don Bacon and Rep. Carol Miller fended off challenges from conservative opponents.
With Gov. Jim Justice term-limited, the GOP primary in West Virginia drew several well-connected Republicans vying to replace him. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey won the primary, facing Democratic Huntington Mayor Steve Williams in the general election. The primary was marked by negative campaigning, with political action committees airing ads targeting candidates’ views on LGBTQ issues.
