Primary Election Results Today Show Competitive Races Across California, Iowa, and New Jersey

Primary election results today determined key nominees across California, Iowa, New Jersey, and other states, with competitive races for governor, Senate, and House seats that will define the fall campaign. Polls closed in New Jersey, South Dakota, Iowa, and New Mexico, while California and Iowa drew particular attention for their high-stakes Democratic and Republican primaries that could influence control of Congress in November.

Iowa's Senate and Governor Contests

Iowa voters selected Josh Turek as the Democratic Senate nominee, a significant outcome given Democrats must gain four Senate seats to achieve majority control. Since Iowa leans Republican, winning the state would be critical for Democratic legislative ambitions. Turek faced immediate opposition messaging linking him to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, with Republican Party leaders using the connection to frame his candidacy as externally directed.

On the Republican gubernatorial side, the race remained unsettled with incomplete results. Businessman Zach Lahn led Rep. Randy Feenstra, who had received former President Trump's endorsement, by approximately 4.5 percentage points with 18 percent of votes counted. Former state government official Adam Steen held third place. The outcome could hinge on rural county performance, and if no candidate secured 35 percent of the vote, delegates at a state party convention later this month would decide the nomination.

California's Wide-Open Democratic Primary

California's gubernatorial primary continued without a clear Democratic front-runner. After three prominent candidates—former Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Alex Padilla, and State Attorney General Rob Bonta—declined to run, Democratic voters faced more than 60 candidates, with only a handful considered serious contenders. The state's unique primary system advances the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, to the general election in November.

The race experienced disruption when former Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, initially perceived as the presumed favorite, withdrew following accusations of sexual misconduct from multiple women. Polls indicated the contest could ultimately feature two Democratic candidates in the general election matchup.

New Jersey's Congressional Selection

In New Jersey's 12th Congressional District, Adam Hamawy, a surgeon with international conflict experience, won the Democratic primary in an open seat race. Hamawy, who worked in war zones and was later stranded in Gaza during Israel's recent conflict with Hamas, secured backing from Senator Tammy Duckworth—who credited him with saving her life in Iraq—alongside numerous progressive lawmakers and organizations. His victory represented a significant win for the progressive faction in a race where Israel policy featured prominently. American Priorities, a group established to counter AIPAC spending in Democratic primaries, provided substantial financial support to his campaign.