Voters in Maryland, West Virginia and Nebraska cast their ballots Tuesday in primaries that will test the political resonance of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, former President Donald J. Trump and the establishment Republican Party. go to. Democratic money power.
Here’s what to look out for:
Maryland’s unexpectedly important Senate choices
When Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin announced in January that he would retire at the end of his third term, deep blue Maryland wasn’t on anyone’s list of battleground states. Congressman David Trone, the deep-pocketed owner of liquor retailer Total Wine & More, was prepared to spend big on the Democratic nomination, enough to secure his seat in the Senate. It should be.
Two things happened that turned that around. Former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, a popular moderate, has decided to run for the Senate as the Republican’s anti-Trump voice, and Angela Hogan, executive vice president of Prince George’s County, a diverse area outside Washington, Mr. Alsobrooks. , D.C. has put together a strong campaign for the Democratic nomination.
Mr. Trone has already spent a staggering $54 million of his own money seeking the Democratic nomination, and some Democratic leaders still balk at the idea of fielding a self-funded candidate to face Mr. Hogan in November. I like it. But Allbrooks, the third Black woman ever elected to the Senate, held her own in the polls, securing the support of a majority of the state’s most prominent Democratic politicians. Maryland Democrats must choose between the man who covers the airwaves and the woman who will make history.
“Save democracy” and the government’s experience
More than 20 Democrats are vying for Maryland’s heavily Democratic 3rd Congressional District, where Rep. John Sarbanes, a stalwart of the Democratic dynasty, is retiring.
However, two names pop out. The first is Harry Dunn, who gained national attention on January 6, 2021, when he fought a pro-Trump mob as a Capitol Police officer and later testified before the House committee investigating the attack. Another is state Sen. Sarah Elfreth, who has won fans for her legislative work in Annapolis and support for the pro-Israel group United Democracy Project, an affiliate of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Funding was secured.
Dunn has never held elected office, but his “Save Democracy” campaign has raised nearly $4.6 million in donations and has given him a national voice in efforts to stop Trump and his political campaign. I gave it to Mr. Mr. Elfreth’s case is more traditional: his record in the Legislature and his steady climb up the political ladder.
Moderate Republican in Nebraska
Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon has worked to cultivate a moderate image in the purplish district around Omaha since narrowly defeating the Democratic incumbent in 2016, which helped him narrowly defeat the Democratic incumbent. It has since helped stave off Democratic attacks. His Trump years were distasteful to some conservatives.
In Tuesday’s Republican primary, Bacon will face pro-Trump conservative businessman Dan Frye, who is backed by the Nebraska Republican Party. Bacon contends that if Frey wins the primary, the seat will go to Democratic state Sen. Tony Vargas, who nearly won the seat in 2022. Tuesday’s vote will be a new test of moderates or Trumpism. Democrats will be watching closely.
West Virginia’s chaotic coronation
The Republican primary between West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Trump-supporting conservative Rep. Alex Mooney for the seat of retiring Sen. Joe Manchin III could have been a tumultuous one. Mr. Justice is widely popular. But Mr. Mooney, with Mr. Trump’s support, defeated another incumbent House Republican in the 2022 Rep.-v. Rep. primary. The Club for Growth, a well-funded conservative political action committee, had promised to spend millions on Mooney, arguing that he was too moderate.
After that, Mr. Trump endorsed Mr. Justice, and the atmosphere disappeared from Mooney’s camp.
Elections are consequential. No strong Democratic candidates have emerged in Republican-dominated states. The loss of Manchin’s seat means the best Democrats can do in November is to split the Senate 50-50 (Ted Cruz of Texas, Rick Scott of Florida and Josh of Missouri). Barring an unexpected upset by Mr. Hawley, that means both are Republican senators (state). Even if Democrats were to succeed, President Biden would need to win reelection for his party to maintain control of the chamber.
But Mr. Justice may be more concerned about his electoral success at this point than his anticipated business debts as a senator.
