It’s primary day in Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. Here’s what we’re tracking today:
Who will follow Rosendale? A crowded field is vying to replace Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) in Montana’s ruby-red 2nd District. State Auditor Troy Downing is a leading contender in the Republican primary. A number of House conservatives, including Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R-Va.), have endorsed the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen. Former Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) is also running to return to Congress, along with retired DEA agent Stacy Zinn.
Will Iowa Republicans beat back their right-wing challengers? Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) is the favorite to dispatch Kevin Virgil, a hardline conservative looking to oust the incumbent. Notably, Virgil is endorsed by former Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa). Feenstra beat King in a primary following public outrage over King’s racist comments. Former 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is also backing Virgil.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) is also facing a longshot challenge from the right in the shape of David Pautsch.
Who will replace Kim? Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) vacated the 3rd District to run for Senate, leaving two Democrats — Herb Conaway Jr. and Carol Murphy — as leading contenders to replace him. Conaway Jr., a state assembly member, is backed by 314 Action Fund and VoteVets. Murphy, also a state legislator, has the backing of EMILYs List.
— Max Cohen
