Democrats hope for 'blue wave' push from 8-state primary day
Top 2 vote-getters in California advance to November election, regardless of party
Holding hopes of a "blue wave" in November, Democrats fought to shape the political battlefield in primaries across eight states, none more important than California where Republicans avoided an embarrassing setback in the race for governor.
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newson, a Democrat, easily advanced to the general election, with business executive John Cox coming in second. Cox's strong finish put to rest Republican fears that no one from their party would qualify for the deeply Democratic state's top office this fall and the party's other candidates would suffer from a resulting lack of voter interest on election day.
The governor's race was one of many drawing attention to California, a state not accustomed to being a national political battleground. But its handful of competitive House races — largely in Southern California — have made it hotly contested territory in the fight over control of the House, drawing big money and the spotlight on a the biggest primary night of midterms.
Voters in seven other states went to the polls Tuesday. And it was a big night for women, as female candidates for governor advanced. Democratic incumbents, including California's Sen. Dianne Feinstein, fared well, fending off challenges from the left.
Neither party immediately appeared to suffer major setbacks. Yet the winners and losers in California's most competitive races could take days to sort out given the state's unique election laws.
No state offers Democrats more opportunities to gain House seats this fall than California, where more than a half dozen Republican-held seats may be in play. Democrats need to pick up 23 seats nationwide to retake the House.
Feinstein won her party's nomination for another term, as widely expected. It was still unclear whether a Republican would earn enough votes to oppose her on California's November ballot.
In another midterm battleground, clear across the country, former federal prosecutor and Navy pilot Mikie Sherrill bested a field of Democratic rivals in the race to replace retiring New Jersey Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen. The favourite of Washington Democrats will take on Republican Assemblyman Jay Webber in one of several New Jersey races Democrats view as possible pickups.
More women on the ballot
Much of the day's drama focused on women, who fought to make history in some cases and to avoid disaster in others.
In Alabama, four-term Republican Rep. Martha Roby was forced into a runoff election next month after failing to win 50 percent of her party's vote. She will face former Democratic Rep. Bobby Bright in Alabama's conservative 2nd district — where Trump loyalty has been a central issue.
Roby was the first member of Congress to withdraw her endorsement of the Republican president in 2016 after he was caught on video bragging about grabbing women's genitals.
In New Mexico, Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham won her party's nomination in the race to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. If Grisham wins, she'll be the state's second Latino state executive.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey fended off three Republican challengers, while South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem became the first female nominee for governor in her state.
In Iowa, 28-year-old Democratic state Rep. Abby Finkenauer was trying to become the youngest woman to serve in Congress.
And in New Mexico, former state Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland, a tribal member of Laguna Pueblo, won her primary and could become the first Native American woman in Congress if she wins this fall.
Haaland said in her primary victory statement: "Donald Trump and the billionaire class should consider this victory a warning shot: the blue wave is coming."
Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker won his primary contest as did New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat who faced federal bribery charges last year. The jury deadlocked, but Republicans hope to use Menendez's legal troubles to tar other Democrats like Sherrill across the state.
Republican businessman Bob Hugin claimed the Republican nomination to face Menendez this fall.
Recognizing the high stakes in California, Trump sought to energize his supporters in a series of tweets praising his preferred candidates.
"In High Tax, High Crime California, be sure to get out and vote for Republican John Cox for Governor. He will make a BIG difference!" Trump tweeted.
Top 2 advance in California
Yet frightening scenarios existed for both parties.
Because of California's unusual primary system, all candidates appear on a single primary ballot, with the top two vote-getters regardless of party advancing to the November election. That allows the possibility of two candidates qualifying from the same party — and neither from the other.
National Democrats spent more than $7 million trying to curb and repair the damage inflicted by Democrats attacking each other in districts opened by retiring Republican Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa, and the district where Republican Dana Rohrabacher is facing challenges from the left and the right.
In two of the three Southern California districts, Democrats were coming in second place behind Republicans, but the races were too close to call early Wednesday, leaving Democrats at risk of being locked out. In another, Issa's district, Republican Diane Harkey was leading in early returns, as two Democrats vied for the second slot.
Republican Rep. Mimi Walters easily advanced to the November election in her Orange County district that has been targeted by Democrats. The second spot remained up for grabs.
And to the north, House intelligence committee chairman Devin Nunes, a Republican, qualified for the general election ballot as well. Nunes is a polarizing figure in national politics given his support for Trump in one of the many investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
Trump will not be on the ballot this year. But he was on the minds of many voters.
Francine Karuntzos, a 57-year-old retiree from Huntington Beach, Calif., said she has deep concerns about the Republican president — particularly his recent declaration that he could pardon himself. She said she isn't a member of a political party, but she voted Democratic on Tuesday.
"I'm really, really worried about our Constitution being ruined by this presidency," Karuntzos said after casting her ballot at a local community centre.
It was a different story in Mississippi, where 66-year-old Gladys Cruz wasn't sure which Republican she would support in the state's Senate primary, but she wanted whoever won to firmly support Trump.
The president "touches my heart," she said.
A key Senate race took shape in the heart of Trump country as well.
Montana Republicans were picking a candidate to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, one of the most vulnerable senators in the nation. State Auditor Matt Rosendale won the Republican nomination.