By Jim Ellis — Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Primaries
Voters finalized, or nearly finalized, their nomination votes yesterday in four states, and the generally expected results were produced though some featured close endings.
While the South Carolina Republican Governor’s campaign was thought to be headed toward a razor-thin vote margin among five candidates, instead the race ended with two clear runoff participants. In Maine, where one individual posted clear leads in polls during the length of the campaign, saw a very close five-way contest advancing to Ranked Choice Voting rounds.
Maine
In the Senate race against no active primary opposition, controversial oyster farmer Graham Platner won the Democratic primary with approximately 72 percent of the vote. Gov. Janet Mills, who suspended her Senate campaign when it became obvious that she could not overtake Platner, recorded approximately 20 percent of the vote.
Sen. Susan Collins was unopposed for renomination on the Republican side. The Collins-Platner general election will be another tough campaign, but a much different one than she faced in 2020. In that election, Sen. Collins’ opponent was a seasoned politician in then-state House Speaker Sara Gideon.
This time, it is an opponent portraying himself as a local working man but as more becomes known about him, many of his previous statements lead to questions about his veracity. Count on hearing a great deal about the Maine Senate race in the general election.
The Democratic Governor’s campaign will take some time to unfold. While Dr. Nirav Shah held healthy leads in polls throughout the year, four finished within six points of one another. With Dr. Shah placing first with only 26.5 percent, the Ranked Choice rounds will determine the outcome.
It is possible that any of the four, Dr. Shah, former state House Speaker Hannah Pingree, ex-state Senate President Troy Jackson, and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows all have a path to victory in the Ranked Choice rounds. This race will consume at least a week to decide and possibly more.
For the Republicans, RCV rounds will also be required though former Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles has a substantial 18 percentage point lead. Therefore, both gubernatorial campaigns are headed to political overtime.
In the 2nd Congressional District, the Democratic field will go to the Ranked Choice Voting rounds as state Sen. Joe Baldacci (D-Bangor), former congressional aide Jordan Wood, and State Auditor Matt Dunlap are all within a three percentage point split. Fourth place finisher Paige Loud will be eliminated when the other three advance to the RCV rounds.
It will likely be more than a week before we also know the outcome of this campaign. The eventual winner will face former Gov. Paul LePage (R) in the open general election. Incumbent Rep. Jared Golden (D-Lewiston) did not seek re-election.
Nevada
The Nevada gubernatorial campaign was a non-event. Gov. Joe Lombardo received just short of 92 percent in the Republican primary and Attorney General Aaron Ford was a 65 percent winner on the Democratic side. A close general election race is expected. In a point of good news for the GOP, approximately 14,000 more Republicans than Democrats are projected to have voted in the respective primaries.
In the House races, all three Las Vegas Democratic incumbents were easily renominated, and each Republican favorite also won.
In District 1, state Sen. Carrie Buck (R-Henderson) will oppose veteran Rep. Dina Titus (D-Las Vegas). The Congresswoman is favored for re-election, but Sen. Buck is clearly the best candidate the GOP has filed in this district.
In CD 3, musical composer and video gaming company co-owner Marty O’Donnell was an easy Republican primary winner giving him the opportunity of facing four-term Rep. Susie Lee (D-Las Vegas) in one of the few districts that supported President Trump but sent a Democrat to the House. This is a toss-up general election campaign.
In District 4, where veteran Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Las Vegas) was unopposed for renomination, businessman and rancher Cody Whipple was an easy Republican primary winner. Of the three Las Vegas congressional districts, this is the most Democratic seat.
In District 2, the state’s lone Republican congressional seat, it appears that Trump-endorsed retired Air Force officer David Flippo is headed for a close victory over State Conservation Secretary and Gov. Lombardo-endorsed candidate James Settelmeyer.
Former state House Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson is the Democratic primary winner. The Reno-anchored 2nd CD should remain in the Republican column but expect Democrats to make a concerted effort here to make the general election competitive.
North Dakota
There was little in the way of political intrigue in North Dakota last night. As expected, freshman at-large Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-Mandan) was easily renominated with 73 percent of the vote.
On the Democratic side, 2024 nominee Trygve Hammer, who lost in a landslide in the last election, was unopposed for renomination last night. It is likely we will see a repeat performance in the 2026 at-large congressional election.
South Carolina
In a Republican gubernatorial primary campaign that was expected to be close among five candidates, the first two finishers ended the race breaking away from the field.
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who carried both President Trump and Gov. Henry McMaster’s endorsements, placed first with 28.9 percent of the vote. Four-term Attorney General Alan Wilson was second with 26.1 percent support. Both now advance to a quick runoff election scheduled for June 23. The winner of that race will have the inside track to winning the general election in safely Republican South Carolina.
Approximately 10 percentage points behind the top two finishers was a closely bunched group; in order of finish, they were Rep. Ralph Norman (R-Rock Hill), businessman Rom Reddy, and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-Charleston). These three are now eliminated.
On the Democratic side, state Rep. Jermaine Johnson (D-Hopkins) was an easy winner, scoring approximately 58 percent of the vote against two opponents. Because he exceeded the majority threshold figure, Johnson advances directly into the general election.
In the Senate race, as expected, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R), on the ballot seeking a fifth six-year term, captured 57 percent of the vote against five opponents and will advance directly into the general election where he will again be favored to win re-election.
For the Democrats, pediatrician Annie Andrews was an easy 62 percent winner over two opponents. She, too, advances directly into the general election.
Turning to Rep. Mace’s open 1st District, a runoff election between Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt and state Rep. Mark Smith (R-Columbia) will be held on June 23. Honeycutt placed first with 22 percent against 10 opponents, four points ahead of Rep. Smith. The winner will become a heavy favorite in the general election.