Eight states are holding primaries Tuesday, the biggest single day of voting until November, but most eyes are on California, where the combination of crowded Democratic fields and California's top-two "jungle primary" system could shut Democrats out of three or more House races they hope to win to flip the House in November. California Republicans, meanwhile, face the risk of being shut out of the race for governor and U.S. senator.
Democrats are targeting 10 House seats in California, including seven in districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016, and they're most worried about fatally splitting the vote in three Orange County districts — the 39th, 48th, and 49th — with either a weak or retiring GOP incumbent. If two Republicans advance in a handful of those districts, it will be harder for Democrats to take control of the House. State and national Democrats have spent millions to prevent being shut out. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is expected to get the most votes and could face any number of candidates in the No. 2 slot, while Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will likely face either former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) or Republican businessman John Cox to replace outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown (D).
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortableThe Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bansSpeed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler groupSpeed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
-
Gaetz ethics report in limbo as sex allegations emergeSpeed Read A lawyer representing two women alleges that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex, and one witnessed him having sex with minor
-
Biden allows Ukraine to hit deep in RussiaSpeed Read The U.S. gave Ukraine the green light to use ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington, a decision influenced by Russia's escalation of the war with North Korean troops
-
Sri Lanka's new Marxist leader wins huge majoritySpeed Read The left-leaning coalition of newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won 159 of the legislature's 225 seats
-
Biden arrives in Peru for final summitsSpeed Read President Joe Biden will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, visit the Amazon rainforest and attend two major international summits
-
Senate GOP selects Thune, House GOP keeps JohnsonSpeed Read John Thune will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader, and Mike Johnson will remain House speaker in Congress
-
Trump tests GOP loyalty with Gaetz, Gabbard picksSpeed Read He named Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. Both have little experience in their proposed jurisdictions.
