Four states – Georgia, Kentucky, Idaho, and Oregon, hold primary contests on Tuesday, including several congressional showdowns that could shape key contests in the autumn battle for control of the House. In California, voters will choose a successor for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. In Atlanta, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading the prosecution of former President Donald Trump in his 2020 election interference case, faces a Democratic primary challenge from attorney Christian Wise Smith. Willis has faced scrutiny for her handling of the case, including appointing a special prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship.
With no gubernatorial or Senate races on the ballot in Georgia this year, the state’s 14 congressional districts will take top billing. Controversial Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a high-profile Trump ally, is running unopposed in the GOP primary in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. Trump is taking sides in the GOP primary race for the open seat in Georgia’s 3rd District, backing former adviser Brian Jack. Two incumbent Democrats and a Republican in re-drawn districts in metropolitan Atlanta also face primary challengers, setting the stage for competitive races in November.
In Oregon, it’s a battle between the progressive and establishment wings of the Democratic Party in two congressional primaries. Two candidates are facing off in the race to succeed longtime Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer in the heavily-blue Portland anchored 3rd Congressional District. In the 5th District—a crucial swing district that will likely help determine if the GOP can hold on to its majority—Democrats will choose a nominee to take on GOP Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Republicans will also choose nominees in the state’s 4th and 6th Districts, aiming to flip blue seats to red seats in November.
In California’s heavily red 20th District, there’s an all-Republican special Congressional election to fill the remainder of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s term. State lawmaker Vince Fong, backed by McCarthy and Trump, faces off against local county sheriff Mike Boudreaux. The winner will boost the GOP’s majority in the House. The race to watch in Kentucky is the Republican primary in the 4th Congressional District, where Rep. Thomas Massie is facing a challenge from Trump supporter Eric Deters. Kentucky and Oregon will also hold presidential primaries on Tuesday, adding to the excitement of a busy primary day.
Overall, these primary contests across four states will shape key contests in the autumn battle for control of the House. In Georgia, attention is focused on the Democratic primary challenge to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading the prosecution of former President Donald Trump. In Oregon, battles between the progressive and establishment wings of the Democratic Party will play out in congressional primaries. California and Kentucky also have interesting races, including a special Congressional election in California’s 20th District to fill the remainder of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s term. These primaries will set the stage for competitive races in November and could ultimately impact the balance of power in the House.
