What to know as West Virginia and Nebraska head to the polls


It is primary day once again in America — this time in Nebraska and West Virginia, where a heated gubernatorial standoff and a redistricting-driven congressional race, respectively, are underway.
Much like last week's Ohio primary, former President Donald Trump has once again taken center stage in both Tuesday contests, as analysts and pundits continue to measure the former leader's hold on the Republican Party by the success of candidates he's endorsed.
In West Virginia's highest-profile primary, Trump has thrown his support behind incumbent Rep. Alex Mooney (R), who is going head-to-head with fellow GOP incumbent Rep. David McKinley thanks to redistricting. McKinley is backed by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Gov. Jim Justice (R).
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.
And in Nebraska's main event, Trump is pushing for businessman Charles Herbster, who has been accused of sexual harassment, though outgoing GOP Gov. Pete Ricketts strongly favors University of Nebraska board of regents member Jim Pillen. Herbster denies the assault allegations against him.
Notably, as highlighted by FiveThirtyEight, neither West Virginia nor Nebraska is a swing state, meaning whoever wins the Republican primary in each race will likely win in November.
The Nebraska gubernatorial race also pits Trump's prestige against Rickett's, considering the governor's family is "among the most influential donors in the Republican Party," CNN writes.
Polls close at 7:30 p.m. in West Virginia and 9:00 p.m. ET in Nebraska.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
The Pam Bondi and Dan Bongino schism threatens Trump's DOJ
In the Spotlight Two MAGA partisans find themselves on either end of a growing scandal over Jeffrey Epstein and his ties to White House officials
-
8 ways Trump's bill will change your taxes
The Explainer The 'big beautiful bill' was recently signed into law. Here's what it might mean for your wallet.
-
One great cookbook: 'The Cook You Want to Be'
The Week Recommends And the way you want to eat — now
-
Secret Service 'failures' on Trump shooting
Speed Read Two new reports detail security breakdowns that led to attempts on the president's life
-
Trump set to hit Canada with 35% tariffs
Speed Read The president accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of failing to stop the cross-border flow of fentanyl
-
Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim over ICE detention
Speed Read This is the 'first damages complaint' brought by an individual targeted by the Trump's administration's 'crackdown' on Gaza war protesters
-
Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs
Speed Read He accused Brazil's current president of leading a 'witch hunt' against far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro
-
AI scammer fakes Rubio messages to top officials
Speed Read The unknown individual mimicked Rubio in voice and text messages sent to multiple government officials
-
SCOTUS greenlights Trump's federal firings
speed read The Trump administration can conduct mass federal firings without Congress' permission, the Supreme Court ruled
-
New tariffs set on 14 trading partners
Speed Read A new slate of tariffs will begin August 1 on imports from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and more
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress