Last Updated on 10/07/2026 by TinHN Editor
The 2026 midterm primary season is well underway, with voters across the country choosing which candidates will represent their party — or advance through California’s nonpartisan top-two system — in the November 3 general election. This tracker covers the most significant race outcomes, state by state, for Senate, House, and Governor contests.
For a full overview of what’s at stake in November, see our 2026 US Midterm Elections guide.
How the Primary Season Works
Primary elections determine which candidates advance to the general election on November 3, 2026. Each state sets its own primary date, running from March through September. In most states, Democrats and Republicans vote separately to choose their party’s nominee. California uses a nonpartisan blanket primary, where all candidates appear on a single ballot and the top two vote-getters — regardless of party — move on to November.
As of early July 2026, primaries have concluded in the large majority of states, including all of the marquee runoff contests in Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana. Key upcoming dates include:
| Date | States |
|---|---|
| July–September 2026 | Remaining states not yet voted |
| September 2026 | Final state primaries close out the season |
Senate Primary Results
Maine — Toss-Up Race
Maine’s Senate primary set up one of the most watched general election matchups of the cycle. On the Democratic side, Graham Platner won the primary and will face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Collins, a moderate Republican who has survived multiple difficult cycles, remains one of the few Republicans representing a state Kamala Harris won in 2024 — making this race a genuine toss-up.
Georgia — Collins Wins GOP Nomination
Georgia’s Senate primary went to a June 16 runoff after no candidate cleared the majority threshold in the May 19 first round. Rep. Mike Collins defeated former football coach Derek Dooley after a late endorsement push from President Trump, who had criticized Dooley over his ties to the state and his comments on the 2020 election. Collins will face incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. Ossoff’s 2020 victory was extraordinarily narrow, making this seat a top Republican pickup target. For a detailed breakdown of the Georgia race and other Senate battlegrounds, see our 2026 Midterm Senate Map guide.
South Carolina
Sen. Lindsey Graham won the Republican Senate primary comfortably and will seek re-election in a state considered safely Republican. On the Democratic side, Charleston physician Annie Andrews cleared the field, setting up a general election race that Republicans are heavily favored to win.
Louisiana — Cassidy Ousted, Letlow Wins Nomination
Louisiana produced the primary season’s biggest incumbent upset. Sen. Bill Cassidy, who drew President Trump’s anger for voting to convict him in his 2021 impeachment trial, was eliminated in the first round on May 16 with roughly 25% of the vote. In the June 27 runoff, Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow defeated state Treasurer John Fleming to claim the GOP nomination. Letlow will face Democrat Jamie Davis in November and is heavily favored in the reliably red state.
North Carolina — Lean Democrat (shift)
270toWin’s June 11 update moved North Carolina from Toss-Up to Lean Democrat, reflecting polling trends that have surprised some analysts who expected the race to favor Republicans in a Trump-won state.
Alaska and Ohio — Moving Toward Toss-Up
Both Alaska and Ohio shifted to Toss-Up status in the June 11 forecast update — a notable move that signals Democrats are more competitive in these states than anticipated. In Ohio, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown is challenging appointed incumbent Republican Jon Husted for the seat. In Alaska, Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola is running for Senate, bringing strong name recognition after her 2022 House win.
Governor Primary Results
California — Becerra vs. Hilton
The most watched governor primary of the entire cycle concluded June 2 in California, with results certified by the Secretary of State on July 10. Democrat Xavier Becerra (27.7%) and Republican Steve Hilton (25.1%) advanced out of a crowded nonpartisan primary, with billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer eliminated in third place. For a full profile of both candidates and what this race means for November, see our dedicated article: 2026 California Governor Race: Hilton vs. Becerra.
Georgia — Jackson Pulls Off Governor Upset
Georgia’s gubernatorial race also went to a June 16 runoff. Incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited, creating an open seat. In an upset over President Trump’s preferred candidate, healthcare executive Rick Jackson defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for the GOP nomination. Jackson will face Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in November in what is expected to be a competitive general election — notably, Democratic primary turnout in Georgia exceeded Republican turnout for the first time since 2006, a signal the party’s base is energized.
South Carolina — Wilson Wins Governor Nomination
South Carolina’s Republican governor primary also went to a June 23 runoff between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson. Despite Trump backing Evette ahead of the first round, he issued a late co-endorsement of both candidates — and Alan Wilson won convincingly. Wilson will face Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson in November.
House Primary Highlights
California — Redistricting Battle
California held its House primaries June 2 under a redrawn congressional map created by the voter-approved 2025 Proposition 50. Democrats redrawn their maps in response to aggressive Republican redistricting in Texas and other states. The California map is being litigated, but primaries proceeded using the new district lines. Republicans made some competitive inroads, with one dark-horse Republican candidate threatening to complicate Democratic redistricting goals.
Redistricting Landscape — Republicans Hold Structural Edge
Across the country, the redistricting battle has produced a meaningful Republican structural advantage. GOP-led states now hold approximately a 17-seat redistricting edge over Democrats — a significant firewall given that Democrats need only a net gain of 3 seats to retake the House majority. Additionally, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 2 to allow Alabama to use a redrawn congressional map that eliminates one majority-Black district, further reinforcing the Republican map advantage.
Current House composition: 218 Republicans, 212 Democrats, with 5 vacancies (CA-01, CA-14, TX-23, FL-20, GA-13).
Virginia — Key Rating Moves
Cook Political Report moved several Virginia districts in May:
- VA-01: Likely D → Lean R
- VA-02: Lean D → Toss-Up
- VA-05: Likely D → Likely R
- VA-06: Lean D → Safe R
Virginia will use existing 2021 court-drawn maps for 2026, meaning the Republican gains reflect candidate quality and environment rather than redistricting.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania
NJ-07 and PA-10 moved from Tilt R to Toss-Up per Inside Elections — signaling that Republicans in these competitive suburban districts face real pressure from Democratic challengers.
Primary Calendar: What’s Still Ahead
With Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana runoffs now decided, the marquee statewide contests of the 2026 primary season are largely settled. Remaining state primaries run through September 2026 — see the full calendar at 270toWin for exact dates in states that haven’t yet voted.
What the Primaries Tell Us So Far
Several patterns have emerged from the primary season:
1. The redistricting map is set — and it favors Republicans. With a ~17-seat structural GOP advantage locked in, Democrats face a steeper climb to the House majority than the generic ballot alone suggests.
2. Democrats are energized in unexpected places. Higher-than-expected Democratic primary turnout in Georgia and competitive showings in Alaska and Ohio suggest the anti-Trump environment is translating into voter engagement in states Republicans expected to hold easily.
3. Senate is genuinely competitive. The ratings shift in North Carolina, Alaska, and Ohio shows the Senate map is more fluid than it appeared in January. Republicans remain favored to hold the majority, but the ceiling on Democratic gains may be higher than expected.
4. California is the marquee governor race. With Gavin Newsom term-limited, the Becerra vs. Hilton matchup is the highest-profile open-seat governor contest in the country — a race that has national implications for both parties’ narratives heading into November.
5. Trump’s endorsement record is mixed. He delivered wins in the Louisiana and Georgia Senate runoffs, but GOP voters rejected his picks in the Georgia and Iowa governor races — a split verdict that complicates the narrative of unchecked influence over the party’s base.
6. The generic ballot has widened slightly. Democrats’ national lead grew to roughly 6 points (46%-40%) in early July polling averages, up from about 4 points in mid-June — a modest but real shift in Democrats’ favor as summer began.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many states have held primaries so far in 2026? As of early July 2026, the large majority of states have concluded their primaries, including the decisive Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana runoffs. The remaining states vote through September 2026.
Which Senate seats are most competitive going into November? The most contested Senate races currently include Georgia (Ossoff vs. Mike Collins), Michigan (open seat, Peters retirement), Maine (Collins vs. Platner), North Carolina, Alaska, and Ohio. Louisiana is not considered competitive despite Sen. Bill Cassidy’s primary defeat, since Trump-backed Julia Letlow is heavily favored in the general election. See our 2026 Midterm Senate Map for full race-by-race ratings.
Do Democrats still have a path to the House majority? Yes — they need a net gain of just 3 seats. However, the Republican redistricting advantage means the number of genuinely competitive seats is smaller than in a neutral-map environment, requiring Democrats to nearly run the table on toss-up districts.
When is the last state primary in 2026? Primary season runs through September 2026, with the final general election set for November 3, 2026.
This article is updated as primary results become available. Last updated: June 2026.