Primary Results in Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota
By Nathan L. Gonzales & Jacob Rubashkin
Primary voters in a handful of states went to the polls on Tuesday to select nominees in key races, setting the stage for competitive general election contests or coronating future new members of Congress in solidly Republican or Democratic seats. Here’s a quick rundown of some key results.
Iowa Senate. Open; Joni Ernst, R, not seeking re-election. State Rep. Josh Turek cruised to victory over state Sen. Zach Wahls, winning 63-37 percent and carrying 96 of 99 counties. Turek, the choice of national Democratic strategists, was boosted by nearly $10 million in outside spending from VoteVets. Wahls lacked the financial resources to keep pace and finished ahead in just his home of Johnson County and two bordering counties.
On the Republican side, Rep. Ashley Hinson easily defeated former state Sen. Jim Carlin, 74-26 percent. Hinson is a formidable candidate for Republicans, with a newscaster’s poise and political chops that helped her clear the primary of any serious opponents last fall. But the national and state political environment looks dangerous for Republicans right now. This race is one to watch. Likely Republican.
Iowa Governor. Open; Kim Reynolds, R, not seeking re-election. Democrats officially nominated state Auditor Rob Sand while the GOP race saw a significant upset as businessman Zach Lahn narrowly defeated 4th District Rep. Randy Feenstra. Lahn, a wealthy businessman who only recently moved back to Iowa from…
