What happened in the Iowa gubernatorial primary, and other pivotal battles

Primary results in a trio of states leave both Democratic and Republican candidates unsure of what to expect in the November general election.

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Iowa: The end of Trump’s endorsement streak

Representative Randy Feenstra lost to Zach Lahn, businessman and farmer, in the five-person race for the Republican nomination for governor.

Feenstra is the first Trump-endorsed candidate for the Senate, the House or governor to lose in the 2026 midterm elections.

The competition was incredibly close, with Lahn winning by less than one point.

Lahn was little-known in Iowa before entering the gubernatorial race, AP reports. His campaign focused on conservative issues like banning abortion and barring liberal ideology from being taught in schools.

After results were released, Lahn thanked his opponents in a post on X and added, “I look forward to working with you and your teams to win in November.

In the race to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (Rep), U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson won the Republican nomination. Hinson was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Rep. Joshua Turek, a state representative and former wheelchair basketball Paralympian, won the Democratic nomination. Turek faces an uphill battle in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008, but many Democrats are optimistic about this year’s election.

A by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said, “It’s clear that rural communities are rejecting the harmful Republican agenda, and the data shows that Democrats have a clear path to make inroads with these voters.”

Republicans have also expressed confidence in their position heading into the November election.

“Our campaign for Iowans is made up of Iowans, and that is exactly what gives us the strength and the armor to step into this general election and make sure we fight it with everything we need to win,” Hinson told supporters in her victory speech Tuesday night.

Montana: A victory for the last-minute entry

Former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, a Republican, and Alani Bankhead, a Democrat and Air Force veteran, won their primary elections and will face off to fill the seat of retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines.

Daines announced his decision not to seek a third term right before the filing deadline in March and Alme joined the race as a last-minute candidate.

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Some claim the timing of Daine’s withdrawal was strategically planned. Daines said the decision came after months of consideration.

Trump endorsed Alme, calling him “a fantastic Candidate” and “an exceptional person.”

Bankhead beat four other Democratic candidates to secure the nomination, but faces tough odds in a majority red state.

In the race to fill the seat of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, Aaron Flint defeated three competitors to earn the Republican nomination.

The Democratic primary was too close to call as of Wednesday morning. Sam Forstag, a union smoke jumper, is in the lead with Ryan Busse, author and salesmen, following in a close second.

New Mexico: Majority of candidates win uncontested

All three of New Mexico’s congressional districts feature candidates who won in uncontested races.

In districts 1 and 3, both of the Republican and Democratic candidates won uncontested.

In District 2, Incumbent Rep. Gabriel Vasquez (Dem.) won uncontested and will face Greg Cunningham, who defeated Jose Orozco for the Republican nomination, in the fall.

Incumbent Sen. Ben Ray Luján defeated Matt Dodson for the Democratic nomination and will face Larry E. Maker, who ran uncontested, in the fall to compete for the Senate seat.

Republican Gregg Hull and Democrat Deb Haaland will face off in November to fill the seat of retiring New Mexico Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

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