Away from Chicago, it’s primary day in Florida, Wyoming and Alaska. Here’s what we’re watching:
Will Gaetz end the McCarthy revenge tour?
Allies of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy have dumped millions of dollars into an effort to unseat Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). The bad blood between the two Republicans runs deep. Gaetz was the ringleader of the motion to vacate effort that deposed McCarthy last year.
Gaetz has rallied with far-right allies like Reps. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) in the race’s final stretch. Gaetz, now in his fourth term, is the heavy favorite to win his primary over retired Navy officer Aaron Dimmock. So much for revenge.
Who will succeed retiring Bill Posey?
Republicans in Florida’s 8th District have coalesced around former state Senate President Mike Haridopolos to replace retiring Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.). Both former President Donald Trump and Posey have backed Haridopolos in the GOP primary for this solid red seat.
How will Mucarsel-Powell fare in the Democratic primary?
Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.) is the massive favorite to take on Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) in November. DMP has raised eye-popping sums in recent weeks and garnered major statewide endorsements. Entrepreneur Stanley Campbell, who won the major labor endorsement of the Florida AFL-CIO, is seeking to pull off an upset in the Democratic primary.
Which Republican will gain momentum in the race to topple Peltola?
Alaska Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola is one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the House. Tuesday is the open primary for Alaska’s House seat, where the top four vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to the general. Peltola’s main GOP opponents this year are Nick Begich, who Peltola beat in 2022, and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, who’s backed by the GOP establishment. Republicans are very high on Dahlstrom’s chances, and it’ll be instructive to see how she performs in the primary.
