Graham Platner Wins Maine Democratic Primary, Setting Up Key Race Against Senator Susan Collins By Patrick Whittle and Kimberlee Kruesi
June 10, 2026
Introduction:
(wbur) Graham Platner won the Maine Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, channeling voter frustration over the high cost of living and overcoming revelations about his past to set up a high-stakes race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Speaking to supporters in the small town where he was born, Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran, stressed a message of redemption as he promised to oust Collins.
Additional Extract:
Platner's expected win in the primary came after days of questions about his past personal conduct, particularly his relationships with women, that threatened to undermine enthusiasm on the left over his candidacy.
“If you believe, as I do, that we can change our politics and change our country, then you must also believe that people can change,” Platner said during his acceptance speech in Blue Hill, a rural town where he was born, as the crowd cheered on. “And the reason I believe that is because I have lived it.”
…
Platner, a progressive who had early support from Sen. Bernie Sanders, has said he plans to focus on economic issues such as housing and healthcare. He'll be facing one of the most powerful legislators in the Senate, and one of its few remaining moderate Republicans.
Senator Lindsey Graham Wins GOP Primary, Defeating Wealthy Challenger in South Carolina By Bridget Bowman
June 9, 2026
Introduction:
(NBC News) Sen. Lindsey Graham has won his Republican primary in South Carolina, NBC News projects, after he spent millions to secure the nomination.
Graham faced multiple primary challengers Tuesday, but the biggest threat came from self-funding businessman Mark Lynch, who lent his campaign $5 million. Graham’s campaign spent more than $13 million on ads, according to AdImpact, as he battled Lynch for the GOP nod.
Graham, who is in his fourth term, got a boost from President Donald Trump, who endorsed him last year, and he touted his record and his work with Trump in the primary. In one campaign ad, a narrator says Trump “delivered on his promise to close the border” with Graham’s help, adding that Graham is “there for South Carolina, delivering for President Trump.”
Trump also recently slammed Lynch as a “lunatic,” criticizing his support for GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, which Graham highlighted on the airwaves. The Graham campaign also attacked Lynch for past arrests on charges related to cocaine and driving under the influence. Lynch has said he sought treatment and “got clean and sober.”
Navy Admiral Fired by Hegseth Advances in South Carolina Democratic House Primary By Richard Luscombe
June 10, 2026
Introduction:
(The Guardian) A three-star navy rear-admiral fired by Pete Hegseth last year in the defense secretary’s purge of senior US military officials advanced to a Democratic run-off in a closely-watched congressional race in South Carolina.
Nancy Lacore, who served 35 years in the navy, was chief of the navy reserve when she was ousted by Hegseth in August.
She will contest a 23 June run-off against Mac Deford, a US Coast Guard veteran, for the Democratic nomination for South Carolina’s first congressional district in November’s midterm election. The seat is currently held by Republican Nancy Mace, who chose to forgo reelection to focus on her failed challenge for governor.
The eventual Democratic candidate faces an uphill battle in a district Mace won by double digits in each of the last two elections.
Nancy Mace Defeated in Bid for South Carolina Governor By Olivia Beavers, Terell Wright
June 10, 2026
Introduction:
(The Wall Street Journal) Rep. Nancy Mace was knocked out of the race for South Carolina governor, as the onetime rising star in the Republican Party was running a distant fifth in the state’s GOP primary Tuesday.
With 99% of the vote counted, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who was endorsed by President Trump, was leading with 28.9%, followed by state Attorney General Alan Wilson, who received 26.2% of the vote, according to the Associated Press. The AP said the two will face off in a runoff election on June 23.
‘Voters Are Seeing Through the Bullshit’: Progressives Take Down Corporate Democrats Nationwide By Jake Johnson
June 10, 2026
Introduction:
(Common Dreams) Progressive candidates have swept to victory against establishment opponents in Democratic primary races across the US, including on Tuesday, as voters turn out in support of working-class champions who have spurned corporate money and vowed to pursue transformative change at the national, state, and local levels.
The Working Families Party (WFP) celebrated a five-for-five sweep for the US House candidates it backed in California primaries, as Mai Vang, Connie Chan, Aisha Wahab, Randy Villegas, and Angela Gonzales-Torres each advanced to the November general election. As Common Dreams reported, Villegas—who is running to unseat incumbent Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.)—advanced despite the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s intervention in support of his opponent Jasmeet Bains, a corporate Democrat.
WFP noted that the wins in California followed upset victories by Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District and Analilia Mejia in New Jersey’s 11th District.
“Voters are seeing through the bullshit and voting for candidates who aren’t in the pocket of billionaires and corporate interests,” Ravi Mangla, WFP’s national press secretary, said in a statement. “In New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and now California, WFP candidates have defied the odds and won shock victories over do-nothing corporate Democrats. We’re electing a new generation of leaders who won’t put up with being pushed around by billionaire elites.”
Nearly 100 Billionaires Are Funding Susan Collins’ Reelection Bid By Jake Johnson
June 12, 2026
Introduction:
(Common Dreams) A new analysis of campaign finance data shows that nearly 100 billionaires and their spouses have contributed to Republican Sen. Susan Collins’ reelection bid so far, funneling nearly $10 million to the incumbent’s campaign committee and PACs supporting her effort to fend off progressive challenger Graham Platner.
The Maine Monitor on Thursday published a list of billionaires who have donated to Collins and Platner, who has called his Republican opponent a “corrupt” protector and beneficiary of an oligarchic political system. The outlet noted that Collins’ billionaire donation total “stands in stark contrast with the fundraising of her opponent... whose campaign has mostly attracted smaller amounts of funds but from many more people.”
The $9.8 million that Collins’ fundraising network received from billionaires and their spouses between January 2025 and late May 2026 represents “a third of what groups supporting Collins raised from all donors,” according to The Maine Monitor’s analysis.
Platner’s reelection bid has received donations from billionaires George Soros, Pat Stryker, Jon Stryker, Christy Walton, and Jennifer Pritzker. Those contributions represent “a fraction of 1% of his total haul,” The Maine Monitor noted. The Democratic candidate’s campaign said Thursday that “grassroots donors chipping in $200 or less have given Graham Platner $9.6 million.”
“While Susan Collins’ campaign is backed by billionaire donors, our campaign is built on a movement funded by the people, with an average donation of $26,” Ben Chin, Platner’s campaign manager, said in a statement. “The establishment can bring it on—they cannot defeat the will of working Mainers, 15,000+ volunteers, and a campaign powered by small-dollar donors from nearly every zip code in Maine.”
Hern Wins GOP Primary for Senate Seat in Oklahoma By Sarah Fortinsky
June 16, 2026
Introduction:
(The Hill) Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) is projected to win the Republican primary for Senate in Oklahoma, according to Decision Desk HQ.
Hern effectively cleared the field when he entered the race in March, shortly after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin vacated his Senate seat to join President Trump’s Cabinet.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) appointed Sen. Alan Armstrong (R-Okla), an oil executive, to fill Mullin’s seat in the interim, but state law prohibited Armstrong from running for a full term in the 2026 cycle.
Hern was endorsed by Trump, Stitt, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Oklahoma’s senior Sen. James Lankford (R).
The Oklahoma Republican — a wealthy businessman who at one point owned 18 McDonald’s franchises in the Tulsa area — was first elected to the House in 2018 and was most recently chair of the House Republican Policy Committee and the Republican Study Committee.
Trump Hails Billionaire Rick Jackson’s GOP Primary Win Despite Endorsing Rival By Sara Dorn and Siladitya Ray
June 17, 2026
Introduction:
(Forbes) Rick Jackson defeated heavily favored Lt. Gov. Burt Jones—who was endorsed by President Donald Trump—in Tuesday’s Republican gubernatorial runoff in Georgia, with Trump praising Jackson and claiming the billionaire—who spent more than $100 million in the race—ran a Trump-style campaign.
California Election Results: Latest on House Race to Replace Eric Swalwell By Nicole Fallert
June 17, 2026
Introduction:
(USA Today) California is selecting who will fill former Rep. Eric Swalwell's seat for the remainder of the term.
As of early Wednesday, June 17, Democrat Aisha Wahab had advanced to a runoff election in a special U.S. House primary for the open seat following Swalwell's resignation from Congress due to allegations of sexual misconduct. He also dropped out of the California governor's race.
This is one of two elections for the seat to represent the heavily-Democratic San Francisco area. The June 16 special primary is a race to replace Swalwell through the end of his current term on Jan. 3. Because no candidate earned a majority of votes on June 16, a runoff will be held on Aug. 18 for the top two finishers. Wahab's opponent in the runoff was yet to be determined.
Another election will choose who takes the seat full-time for a term starting in January 2027. Wahab and fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez advanced out of the June 2 primary for the regularly scheduled general election in November to serve that two-year term.
Additional Extract:
Here are the top five finishers in the special primary election, as of 6:36 a.m. ET Wednesday morning with an estimated 82% of votes counted.
• Aisha Wahab (42.4%)
• Melissa Hernandez (16.7% of votes)
• Rakhi Israni Singh (13.2% of votes)
• Wendy Huang (9.3% of votes)
• Dena Maldonado (8.9% of votes)
Representative Mike Collins Wins GOP Runoff in Georgia Senate Race By Bridget Bowman
June 16, 2026
Introduction:
(NBC News) Rep. Mike Collins has won the Republican Senate runoff in Georgia, NBC News projects, setting up a race against Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in one of the most competitive and important campaigns in the country.
Collins’ primary victory over former college football coach Derek Dooley is also a win for President Donald Trump, who endorsed the two-term congressman just a few days before Tuesday’s runoff election. Dooley, meanwhile, had been endorsed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who campaigned heavily for his candidate and argued the GOP needed a political outsider to defeat Ossoff.
Additional Extract:
On the candidate level, Ossoff starts the race with an overwhelming financial advantage. His campaign has raised more than $80 million so far and had $32 million to spend as of April 29, when he filed his most recent campaign finance report.
Collins, whose campaign had to file a fundraising report more recently due to the runoff, has raised $4.9 million so far and had $1.2 million in his campaign account as of May 27.
Trump-endorsed Representative Barry Moore Wins GOP Primary Runoff in Alabama Senate Race By Megan Lebowitz and Bridget Bowman
June 16, 2026
Introduction:
(NBC News) Rep. Barry Moore won the Republican primary runoff in the Alabama Senate race, NBC News projects, making him the heavy favorite in the general election to succeed Sen. Tommy Tuberville this fall.
Moore, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, defeated former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson for the GOP nomination. The two candidates were forced into a runoff after no one secured more than 50% of the vote in a crowded May 19 primary field.
Georgia GOP Drops Redistricting Plan that Would Hurt Black Representation By Olivia George
June 17, 2026
Introduction:
(Washington Post via MSN) Republican legislative leaders in Georgia announced Wednesday that they would not redraw the state’s political maps this month after Gov. Brian Kemp called them into a special session to do so — rebuffing, at least temporarily, pressure from President Donald Trump to redraw congressional districts to GOP advantage.
Kemp (R) called the June session expressly so Republicans could draw a new map intended to give them one or more additional House seats in the 2028 elections and, in the process, erase seats in majority-Black districts. Kemp had already determined that it was too late to affect this year’s House races.
But state lawmakers pulled the plug Wednesday, citing concerns about moving too quickly after the recent Supreme Court decision weakened Voting Rights Act protections for Black representation.
“Changes to our district maps have the potential to impact every voter in Georgia, and they deserve the same thoughtful, fact-driven process that has always guided the House,” House Speaker Jon Burns said, flanked by other Republican lawmakers on the steps under the state Capitol dome.
The decision marks the latest twist in the frenzied redistricting effort ahead of the midterm elections that has stirred fears of a line-drawing forever war and threatens to further divide an already polarized country
Surging in Michigan Senate Primary, Recent Polls Show El-Sayed is Best Positioned to Beat Republican By Julia Conley
June 18, 2026
Introduction:
(Common Dreams) Opponents of progressive former Detroit public health official Abdul El-Sayed have insisted he would be a risky candidate to face Republican contender Mike Rogers, with state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who is running against El-Sayed in the Democratic primary, suggesting his support for Medicare for All is too radical, and a centrist think tank attacking him for campaigning with an outspoken critic of Israel.
But polls released Wednesday revealed that not only is El-Sayed continuing to surge ahead of McMorrow and US Rep. Haley Stevens, but he also appears to have a better chance of beating Rogers in a statewide race.
A new poll taken by Mitchell Research and Communications between June 11-13 found El-Sayed received the support of 42% of respondents, nine points ahead of Stevens. McMorrow, who has positioned herself as a “moderate” middle ground between her two opponents, had 6% support.
The survey found that El-Sayed continued to build his support among voters under the age of 45, with the candidate 83 points ahead of his opponents in the race that has been called a “millennial showdown” by local media. All three candidates are between the ages of 39 and 42.
Nave or Fool? Traitorous or Demented? By Robert Reich
June 18, 2026
Introduction:
Friends,
To remind you, here’s what Trump said on “Meet the Press” that aired on June 7:
“The [2020] election was rigged. It was a dirty election … And it’s happening again right now in California…. they’re cheating on the election. … they’re crooked…. You know that these elections are rigged. … Your elections in this country … are like a third world country. Your elections are crooked.”
When Trump lies with this kind of vehemence, does he sincerely believe what he’s saying — in which case he’s seriously demented?
OR does he know full well it’s a lie, and part of his strategy for the 2026 midterm elections is to undermine public trust in our electoral system, especially in predominantly Democratic states and cities — in which case he’s traitorous?
I think it’s both — he’s a traitor to America and he’s seriously demented — both a knave and a fool.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel know full well that the incidence of voter fraud in America is near zero. They’re playing along with Trump because, well, they’re just traitors.
Democratic Socialist Janeese Lewis George Wins DC Mayoral Primary By Irie Sentner
June 18, 2026
Introduction:
(Politico) Janeese Lewis George is on track to become the next mayor of Washington, D.C., after winning the Democratic primary on Thursday.
Lewis George faces no major challenger in November’s general election, putting her on a glide path to take the reins from Mayor Muriel Bowser next year and giving Washington a change in executive leadership for the first time since Bowser took office in January 2015. Her victory will usher in a new era for the district and put her on a collision course with President Donald Trump for the final years of his term.
Earlier Thursday, her opponent Kenyan McDuffie conceded the race and said he had called Lewis George “to congratulate her on her victory.”
2026 D.C. DEM PRIMARY
MAYOR
...
75% of votes counted
CANDIDATE VOTES PCT Janeese Lewis George 55,214 52.9% Kenyan R. McDuffie 38,033 36.4%
Gary Goodweather 3,204 3.1%
Rini Sampath 3,153 3.0%
VO Orange 2,787 2.7%
Other candidates 2,035 1.9%
Solomon 1.1%, Johnson 0.5%, Total Write-ins 0.3%
In This Utah Primary, Trump Endorsed One Candidate, Pardoned the Other By Stephanie Mencimer
June 21, 2026
Introduction:
(Mother Jones) Last Wednesday night, President Donald Trump inserted himself into a Utah GOP primary by endorsing incumbent Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) for Congress. “Celeste has a strong Record of Success, and resounding support from her Community,” he wrote on Truth Social. “SHE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
Maloy’s opponent, however, former state legislator Phil Lyman, has his own MAGA cred. In 2020, Trump pardoned him for an old conviction for illegally riding an ATV on public lands. And in this mostly rural district full of Sagebrush Rebellion supporters, the pardon might be more of a selling point.
“He absolutely could win,” says Bryan Schott, founder of the online news site Utah Political Watch who has been closely tracking the under-the-radar race. “He is a true iconoclast. His supporters are very passionate.”
Back in May 2014, Lyman, then a San Juan County commissioner, organized a protest against the Bureau of Land Management for banning motorized vehicles in Utah’s Recapture Canyon. The canyon had been closed since 2007 to protect prehistoric archeological sites, but just weeks before the protest, Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy had led an armed standoff with the BLM after it attempted to impound his cows that were illegally grazing on federal land. The standoff set off a wave of anti-government activism across the West, including in Utah.
During their protest, Lyman and others, including Bundy’s son Ryan, illegally rode ATVs through the fragile canyon, a brazen move that got Lyman prosecuted for riding off-road vehicles on closed roads. A federal jury convicted him of two misdemeanors. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail and three years of probation, and ordered to pay nearly $96,000 in restitution.
