Monthly Archives: August 2026

Blackburn Wins, Rep. Ogles Loses in Tennessee; Hawaii Primary Tomorrow

By Jim Ellis — Friday, August 7, 2026

Tennessee

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R) / Photo by Gage Skidmore

[/caption]Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s victory margin was narrower than early projections when she entered the Governor’s race, but she still secured a double‑digit win and the Republican nomination, effectively guaranteeing her path to the Governor’s Mansion in November.

Sen. Blackburn finished with a 43-33-24 percent victory margin over Rep. John Rose (R‑Cookeville) and state Rep. Monty Fritts (R‑Kingston). Both Rose and Fritts began with single‑digit support but steadily improved throughout the long primary cycle.

Blackburn performed strongly statewide, particularly in her western Tennessee base, while Rep. Rose dominated in his home congressional district. Rep. Fritts carried five counties and posted a credible finish.

Because Tennessee is not a runoff state, Blackburn won the gubernatorial nomination with a plurality. She will face Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green in the general election, who came close to the 70 percent mark in the Democratic primary.

A presumed Blackburn victory in November would give her the opportunity of appointing her own successor in the US Senate. Speculation will now intensify over whom she might choose in January. Assuming the appointee seeks election, a special vote would occur concurrently with the 2028 regular election. The Blackburn seat is next in-cycle for a six-year term in 2030.

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R) was unopposed for renomination and enters the general election as a prohibitive favorite against Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw, who previously ran for the Senate in 2020 and 2024.

The major development in the House delegation came in the 5th District, where Rep. Andy Ogles (R‑Columbia) lost his renomination bid to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher.

The newly drawn 5th District, now stretching to Arkansas and including downtown Memphis, is dramatically different from the central Tennessee-anchored district Ogles first won in 2022. Under the new district boundaries, Hatcher’s 53-47 percent victory positions him as a strong favorite over Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, the Democratic nominee.

Rep. Ogles becomes the ninth House incumbent to lose renomination in 2026 and the third Republican. Michigan Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar (D‑Detroit) also lost his primary on Tuesday night.

In Rep. Rose’s open and safely Republican 6th District, state Rep. Johnny Garrett (R‑Goodlettsville) defeated former Rep. Van Hilleary and Iraq/Afghanistan War veteran Jon Henry. Hilleary, attempting a comeback after two decades off the ballot (he served four House terms and was the GOP nominee for Governor in 2002 and for the Senate in 2006) finished second, 12 points behind Garrett.

In the newly created 9th District, state Sen. Brent Taylor (R‑Eads), backed with endorsements from President Trump and Sens. Blackburn and Hagerty, won the Republican nomination over state Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill) and two additional candidates. Sen. Taylor will be a heavy favorite against the new Democratic nominee, state Rep. Justin Pearson (D‑Memphis), a prominent gun‑control advocate.

Hawaii

Hawaii is the next state to hold its nomination election in what is a busy primary week. The most notable contest tomorrow is in the 1st Congressional District, where veteran Rep. Ed Case (D‑Kaneohe) faces a relatively competitive Democratic primary against state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole (D‑Honolulu).

A Blueprint Polling survey conducted for the Keohokalole campaign (released Aug. 6, taken July 7-8; 481 likely HI‑1 Democratic primary voters) shows the Congressman leading 33-25 percent, with three minor Democratic candidates also on the ballot.

The crowded field gives Rep. Case an additional advantage under Hawaii’s plurality primary system. He is again expected to win renomination and then re‑election in November, which would secure him a seventh non‑consecutive US House term.

Rep. Thanedar Loses in Michigan;
Edwards Out in NC-11;
Tennessee Primary Today

By Jim Ellis — Thursday, August 6, 2026

MI-13

Michigan state Rep. Donovan McKinney

A day after the Michigan primary, the lone uncalled race yielded the eighth renomination defeat for an incumbent House member this year. With virtually all ballots counted, state Rep. Donovan McKinney (D-Detroit) was declared a 52-48 percent winner over two-term Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit). The total turnout figure will exceed 112,000 when the voting totals become official, which is high for the district.

Rep. Thanedar was first elected in 2022 with only 28 percent of the vote in the Democratic plurality primary topping eight opponents including then-state Sen. Adam Hollier who placed second. Hollier announced a rematch challenge in 2024 but failed to qualify for the ballot due to insufficient valid petition signatures. Rep. Thanedar then won the primary with 54 percent of the vote. In the 2026 race, Rep. Thanedar faced state Rep. McKinney in a one-on-one battle.

Of the eight US House members defeated for renomination, Rep. Thanedar became the sixth Democrat to lose prior to the general election.

The House open-seat count rises to 70 with the Thanedar defeat and scandal tainted North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Flat Rock/Asheville) withdrawing in yesterday’s early morning hours.

Of the 70, a total of 37 open seats are currently under Republican control, 28 are Democratic, and five new districts were created through state redraws in California, Florida, Texas, and Utah.

Two of the open seats are vacant and going to special election. California’s 14th District (Rep. Eric Swalwell-D resigning) and Georgia’s 13th CD (death of Rep. David Scott-D) will be filled in special elections on Aug. 18 (CA-14) and Aug. 25 (GA-13). Democrats will hold both seats.

Two more seats, FL-20 (Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick-D resigned) and TX-23 (Rep. Tony Gonzales-R resigned), are vacant. Neither Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) nor Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has scheduled replacement special elections.

NC-11

As mentioned, two-term Rep. Edwards has officially withdrawn from his re-election campaign. The North Carolina Republican Party Executive Committee now will choose a replacement on the 2026 general election ballot.

Whoever is selected must quickly mount a districtwide campaign against an able Democratic opponent, agribusinessman Jamie Ager, the grandson of former 11th District Democratic Congressman James McClure Clarke who served in the 1980s. Clarke won three terms but lost two re-election campaigns in a western North Carolina district that repeatedly flipped between the parties.

Two prominent names being mentioned as possible replacements are state Sens. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin) and Tim Moffitt (R-Henderson County). Both men also previously served in the state House of Representatives. More to come on this developing situation.

Tennessee Primary

The Volunteer State holds the nation’s only Thursday primary today, and the Governor’s race is drawing the most attention. Here, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who does not have to risk her seat to run for Governor, is favored to win the Republican nomination tonight.

Her principal opponent is Rep. John Rose (R-Cookeville). While the Senator continues to lead in all polling, her initial dominant advantage is dissipating to a degree. She is still comfortably ahead, but the victory margin may not be quite as strong as originally portrayed.

On the ballot for a second US Senate term is incumbent Bill Hagerty (R). The Senator is unopposed tonight and expects to have an easy ride in the general election.

The new Tennessee congressional map will be in effect for this election. The major change affects the Memphis area and veteran Rep. Steve Cohen (D) is retiring. After the redistricting plan was enacted after the US Supreme Court’s ruling in the Callais v. Louisiana case that answered the racial gerrymandering questions, the 9th District was changed from a Memphis-anchored seat fully contained within Shelby County to one that stretches almost to Nashville. With the new Republican 9th District partisan lean, Rep. Cohen declared that he could not run a credible re-election campaign.

Rep. Rose’s open 6th District will be decided in the Republican primary tonight with the winner becoming the prohibitive favorite in the general election. The two key contenders are former Congressman and statewide nominee Van Hilleary, who served as Rep. Rose’s chief of staff, and state House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville). This campaign has turned negative with both candidates using controversial AI ads.

The member facing the strongest renomination opponent is two-term Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Columbia). The new 5th District stretches from its traditional population anchor in Davidson and Williamson counties to surround the 8th District on three sides and now borders Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The new 5th also includes downtown Memphis.

Rep. Ogles, who has been tainted with a campaign finance scandal, faces former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher tonight. A close result is expected.
All nine of the state’s congressional seats are now expected to elect a Republican meaning the national GOP will gain one new member in the Volunteer State delegation.

El-Sayed’s Close Primary Win;
Results Wrap-Up From Four States

By Jim Ellis — Wednesday, August 5, 2026

The marquee race of the Aug. 4 primary night – the Michigan Senate Democratic primary race – came down to a small number of votes, which defied the polling projections. Former Wayne County Health/Human/Veterans Department director Abdul El-Sayed was projected late last night as a close winner over Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham). The night began with El-Sayed initially tallying up a large lead, but Stevens consistently chipped away until the final El-Sayed margin should be approximately 20,000 votes from more than 1.4 million Democratic primary votes cast.

Nine different July pollsters all forecast a large El-Sayed lead, one where he was averaging just under a 15-percentage point advantage, but the final margin proved razor thin. Abdul El-Sayed now faces former seven-term Congressman and 2024 US Senate nominee Mike Rogers, who was unopposed in the Republican primary. The Michigan general election is likely to be the key to which party will hold the Senate majority in the new Congress.

Kansas

The open Governor’s race for both parties was the premier draw in last night’s Kansas primary. State Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) was an easy winner for the Republicans, who are aiming to convert the Governor’s office back to their party after what will be eight years of Democratic control under term-limited state chief executive Laura Kelly.

On the Democratic side in a battle between two state Senators, Cindy Holscher (D-Overland Park) defeated Gov. Kelly’s endorsed candidate, Ethan Corson (D-Prairie Village). The general election is expected to be competitive. Republican primary turnout exceeded the Democratic numbers, which gives Sen. Masterson a boost as the candidates turn toward November.

Michigan

Beyond the close Senate race, voters chose nominees in the Governor’s campaign. As predicted, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recorded a landslide victory in the Democratic primary. For the Republicans, Rep. John James (R-Farmington Hills), who has twice come close in statewide campaigns, won the party nomination with just over 50 percent of the vote against three Republican candidates, though one of them ended his active campaign last week.

Looking at the state’s voting history and the strong Democratic primary turnout as compared to the Republican number, Benson will begin the general election race as the favorite.

In the House races, we first look toward the western 4th District. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Holland) will attract more than 80 percent of the final Republican primary vote. His opponent, as expected for the competitive general election, is state Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), an easy Democratic primary winner.

In the 7th District, which is likely to be the most competitive race in the general election, freshman Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte/Lansing) was unopposed for renomination. His general election opponent will be political activist William Lawrence who scored a 43 percent Democratic primary victory over former US Ambassador Bridget Brink and retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam.

In the open 10th District that Rep. James vacated to run for Governor, National Guard officer and Iraq War veteran Michael Bouchard Jr., son of the long-time Oakland County Sheriff and ex-statewide candidate, recorded a 73 percent victory over three Republican opponents. For the Democrats, in what promises to be a very tight general election, former Macomb County Prosecutor nominee Christina Hines defeated two Democratic opponents with 46 percent of the vote.

Turning to Rep. Stevens’ open 11th District, state Senate President Pro Tempore Jeremy Moss captured 41 percent of the vote against three Democratic opponents to clinch the party nomination. He now becomes the prohibitive favorite to win the general election in a safely Democratic seat.

The 13th District Democratic primary challenge to Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit) could end in deposing the incumbent. With just under half the vote counted, state Rep. Donovan McKinney (D-Detroit) leads Rep. Thanedar, 51-49 percent, in a race that is still too close to call.

Missouri

With no Senate or Governor’s race on the ballot, the US House races led the ballot.

In the 1st District, former Congresswoman Cori Bush launched a political comeback attempt against the man who defeated her in the 2024 Democratic primary, current Congressman Wesley Bell (D-St. Louis).

Last night, Rep. Bell posted a strong 59-37 percent victory over the former Congresswoman and “Squad” member. Winning the Democratic primary in this St. Louis district is tantamount to claiming the general election, so Rep. Bell is virtually guaranteed re-election in November.

In the redistricted 5th CD, state Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Kansas City) was the clear Republican primary winner. He will now face Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) in a district that does not resemble the downtown Kansas City seat that the Congressman has represented since the beginning of 2005. Now the 5th District is a Republican seat that stretches into the state’s rural areas, and Rep. Cleaver must be considered an underdog for the general election.

The MO-5 race now becomes a must-win Republican campaign if the GOP is to have a chance at holding their slim national majority.

The open 6th District was decided last night in the Republican primary. There, radio talk show host Chris Stigall, who carried retiring 13-term Congressman Sam Graves’ (R-Tarkio) endorsement, won last night’s Republican primary with 44 percent of the vote over four Republican opponents. Stigall will cruise to victory in the general election from this safe Republican northwestern Missouri congressional seat.

Virginia

In the US Senate race, Republicans chose retired Army Major General Bert Mizusawa to oppose Sen. Mark Warner (D) who is on the ballot for a fourth term. The Senator had no Democratic opposition. Sen. Warner is expected to glide to another November victory. The Senator says this new term will be his last as he will not seek re-election in 2032.

No surprises in the key competitive House races. In the 1st District, Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor easily won the Democratic primary against six Democratic opponents. Taylor will now challenge veteran Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Montrose) in the general election.

In the Tidewater-anchored 2nd District, former Rep. Elaine Luria won a landslide Democratic primary victory opposite three opponents. The Luria victory sets up a rematch of the 2022 campaign between she and two-term Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia Beach).

In the mid-state 5th District, another former House member is attempting a political comeback. Former Rep. Tom Perriello scored a big Democratic primary win and will now challenge freshman Rep. John McGuire (R-Manakin-Sabot) who also won renomination in a landslide proportion. In a good sign for Rep. McGuire, Republican primary turnout far exceeded his Democratic counterparts’ participation figure.

In the Alexandria-Arlington 8th District, veteran Rep. Don Beyer (D-Alexandria) won renomination with two-thirds of the Democratic primary vote against four opponents.

Washington

The all-mail Washington ballots were reported quickly, because the state election officials allow the counting and release of the vote totals after the polls close. Therefore, result reporting is quick. Approximately 50 percent of the projected vote total came through early voting.

In the 3rd District, with under 60 percent of the vote counted, it is clear that Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Skamania County) and state Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R-Chehalis) will advance to the general election. The early vote totals have Rep. Perez and Sen. Braun virtually even, again suggesting that this will be a premier general election campaign and a likely must-win for the GOP if they are to hold the majority.

The open 4th District sees Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney (R) and retired Air Force officer John Duresky advancing to the general election. The open 4th District (Rep. Dan Newhouse-R retiring) is one of two safe Republican seats in the state. This gives McKinney the clear inside track to claiming the general election in November.

In the Spokane-anchored 5th District, freshman Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) captured just about 50 percent of the early vote and has clinched the first general election slot. It appears that Democratic retired US diplomat Carmela Conroy will also advance. Rep. Baumgartner will be favored for re-election.

Primary Preview:
Missouri, Virginia, and Washington

By Jim Ellis — Tuesday, August 4, 2026

In addition to the Michigan primary, which we covered extensively yesterday, three other states, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington, are holding primaries today. Only Virginia features a statewide contest, and even that race is headed for a non‑competitive general election.

>Missouri

The state’s eight congressional campaigns lead the 2026 ballot in the Show Me State. The major primary battles are occurring in Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s (D‑Kansas City) newly redrawn 5th District and the open 6th District, where Republican voters will choose a successor to retiring Rep. Sam Graves (R‑Tarkio). Additionally, freshman Rep. Wesley Bell (D‑St. Louis) faces a rematch with the woman he defeated in 2024, former US Rep. Cori Bush.

In the St. Louis-anchored 1st District, Rep. Bell is again locked in a tough campaign with former Rep. Bush. Their 2024 contest was bitter, and this year’s race is no different. Bush continues to portray Rep. Bell as aligned with the establishment and too close to Republicans, though the Congressman’s voting record does not support such a claim.

Rep. Bell holds a 3:1 fundraising advantage and is again expected to prevail. The 1st District is now the state’s lone Democratic seat, and it will remain under the party’s control regardless of who wins tonight’s nomination.

In the St. Louis suburban 2nd District, veteran US Rep. Ann Wagner (R‑Ballwin) and Democratic retired Army officer Fred Wellman both appear to be facing only minor opposition for their respective nominations. With a partisan lean of 54.5R – 43.2D (Dave’s Redistricting App), Rep. Wagner has the inside track for November, though Democrats are still expected to invest heavily to support Wellman.

The newly drawn 5th Congressional District was the focal point of Missouri’s 2026 redistricting plan. Its partisan lean shifts from 60.8D – 35.9R to 56.6R – 41.1D, making a Republican victory in November highly likely and placing Rep. Cleaver at serious political risk. This seat is central to GOP hopes of protecting their slim House majority. Six Republicans are competing for the nomination, and three appear viable.

Rep. Graves is retiring after 26 years in Congress and eight years in the Missouri legislature. Tonight’s GOP primary will determine his successor. He has endorsed radio talk show host Chris Stigall, one of five Republicans on the ballot. Stigall’s strongest competitors are Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett and businessman Nathanael Schultz.

Virginia

Sen. Mark Warner (D) is on the ballot for what he says will be the final time. When announcing his 2026 re‑election bid, Warner stated that he intends to retire when the next term ends in early 2033. He is unopposed for renomination, and none of the six Republicans running appear positioned to mount a strong general‑election challenge.

Virginia’s redistricting referendum, despite passing, was nullified in court after judges ruled that the Democratic legislature and Governor violated state constitutional requirements by rushing the measure to the ballot. Lawmakers plan to return with a new referendum in 2027, to run concurrently with the state House and Senate elections. For 2026, the 2021 map remains in effect.

Rep. Rob Wittman’s (R‑Montrose) 1st District is the second‑weakest pro‑Trump seat in the state, though the President still carried the district with a five-point margin. Rep. Wittman’s likely opponent is Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney and 2025 Attorney General candidate Shannon Taylor, who is favored to emerge from her five‑candidate Democratic field. She is expected to run a strong general election campaign, though Rep. Wittman remains favored for 2026. He will, however, be a top target when the 2027 redistricting map is drawn.

In the Virginia Beach-anchored 2nd District, where President Trump narrowly prevailed over Kamala Harris in 2024, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R‑Virginia Beach) is seeking a third term. Her opponent will be former Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D), whom she unseated in 2022. The general election promises to be intense and highly competitive meaning it should be considered a toss‑up all the way to Election Day.

For a time, it appeared former Rep. Bob Good would return to challenge freshman Rep. John McGuire (R‑Manakin‑Sabot) in the mid‑state 5th District. Good ultimately declined, leaving Rep. McGuire unopposed in the Republican primary.

The general election, however, features a formidable Democratic candidate: former Rep. Tom Perriello. He would likely have been favored under the new map, so his decision to continue running after the referendum was struck down suggests he may be positioning himself for 2028, when district lines are expected to be more favorable for a Democratic candidate.

In the Alexandria/Arlington-anchored 8th District, veteran Rep. Don Beyer (D‑Alexandria) faces four Democratic challengers in a moderately competitive primary. Rep. Beyer remains a strong favorite, but the candidates may also be positioning themselves for a potential 2028 open seat. Rep. Beyer will be 78 years old at the time of the next election and will be widely viewed as a retirement possibility.

Washington

Washington is one of four states – Alaska, California, and Louisiana are the others – that use a jungle primary format. As a result, voters will not select partisan nominees tonight. Instead, the top two finishers, regardless of party or vote percentage, will advance to the general election.

The most competitive contests are in southwest District 3, where Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D‑Skamania County) is attempting to win a third term in a Republican‑leaning district; the open 4th District; and the Spokane‑anchored 5th District.

With resigned Trump appointee Joe Kent not returning for a third attempt in the 3rd CD, Republicans have an opportunity to field a stronger challenger. That candidate is state Senate Minority Leader and retired Navy Captain John Braun (R‑Chehalis), who has led in jungle primary polling. Should Sen. Braun qualify for November, as appears likely, Rep. Perez will face her toughest campaign yet in a seat that is rapidly becoming a must‑win Republican target.

In central Washington District 4, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R‑Sunnyside) is retiring, leaving six Republicans, one Democrat, and four Independents competing for the seat.

Historically, this district has set the precedent of sending two Republicans to the general election, but with only one Democrat on the ballot, retired Air Force officer John Duresky, the chances of his advancing have substantially improved. Republicans are still very likely to hold the seat, potentially with state Sen. Matt Boehnke (R‑Kennewick), though a first‑place finish for Duresky tonight is not out of the question.

In District 5, freshman Rep. Mike Baumgartner (R‑Spokane) is favored for re‑election. The remaining question is whom he will face in November: one of the six Democrats running or one of four Independents. Democrat Carmela Conroy and Independent Nate Powell both have strong prospects of securing the second ballot position needed to challenge the Congressman.

Michigan Primary Preview

By Jim Ellis — Monday, August 3, 2026

Primary

This week, six states are holding their 2026 primary elections, but none is more active than tomorrow’s Michigan nomination contests.

Today, we highlight the Wolverine State’s key races. Tomorrow, we will preview the Aug. 4 primaries in Missouri, Washington, and Virginia. On Thursday, Aug. 6, Tennessee voters choose their nominees, and on Saturday, Aug. 9, Hawaii follows.

The marquee Michigan race is the Democratic US Senate primary. Former Wayne County Health/Human/Veterans Department director Abdul El‑Sayed faces Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D‑Birmingham).

Although Democratic leaders have rallied around Stevens since state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D‑Royal Oak) exited the race in early July, El‑Sayed holds a commanding advantage in public polling. Across the last eight publicly released surveys, from eight different pollsters, El‑Sayed’s average lead is 14.9 percentage points.

Tomorrow’s winner faces former US Representative and 2024 US Senate nominee Mike Rogers, who is virtually unencumbered in the Republican primary.

The gubernatorial primaries are less dramatic. On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is the clear favorite and is expected to cruise to the nomination.

For Republicans, Congressman John James (R‑Farmington Hills), who previously ran two close statewide races, leads businessman and frequent candidate Perry Johnson. A Benson-James general election matchup is the anticipated outcome. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan had previously launched an Independent bid that would have created an intriguing three‑way race, but he suspended his campaign in late May.

Michigan also features a full slate of competitive congressional primaries. In the 4th District, where Congressman Bill Huizenga (R‑Holland) faces a competitive general election, Democratic state Sen. Sean McCann (D‑Kalamazoo) is likely to prevail with his party’s nomination, setting up what promises to be a closely watched November contest.

The 7th CD is likely to host the fiercest campaign in the delegation. Freshman Congressman Tom Barrett (R‑Charlotte/ Lansing) will defend his seat against one of three Democratic contenders: political organizer William Lawrence, retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam, and former Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink.

The 8th District will also be competitive. Freshman Bay City Democrat Kristin MacDonald Rivet seeks a second term and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Republicans have a three‑way contest, with former US Postal Service Inspector and Navy veteran Amir Hassan, who has raised roughly $800,000 and holds President Trump’s endorsement, favored to win. Rep. Rivet remains the favorite for re‑election, though GOP efforts may intensify after the primary.

The open 10th District promises a highly contested general election. Congressman James is vacating the seat to run for Governor, having twice won close races in this politically swing district. The leading Republican is Mike Bouchard Jr., son of longtime Oakland County Sheriff and former statewide nominee Michael Bouchard, Sr.

With strong name recognition, Bouchard Jr. is expected to win the GOP nomination. He will face one of three Democratic candidates: former US Commerce Department official Eric Chung, Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel, and ex-Macomb County local office nominee Christina Hines who has led in several polls.

In District 11, which Congresswoman Stevens is vacating to run for the Senate, the decisive contest is the Democratic primary; therefore, tomorrow’s winner will claim the seat in November. State Senate President Pro Tempore Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) is favored over three opponents.

District 13, anchored in Detroit, again features Congressman Shri Thanedar (D‑Detroit) facing a Democratic primary battle. Rep. Thanedar is seeking a third term, and his principal challenger is state Representative Donovan McKinney (D‑Detroit). Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters failed to qualify for the ballot due to insufficient petition signatures but is running as a write‑in candidate. The Thanedar-McKinney contest will be close, with the winner headed to Washington after November.

As these races illustrate, Michigan’s election card is full, and tomorrow night’s coverage will be extensive with the Democratic Senate primary as the headline attraction.