Critical Primaries Could Influence 2024 Election as Tim Walz Becomes Kamala Harris' Running Mate

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
07/08/2024 19h15

In a series of pivotal primary races held on Tuesday, several states, including Michigan, Missouri, and Washington, witnessed outcomes that could potentially shape the landscape for the upcoming 2024 election. Notably, progressive Democrats experienced another setback as Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri lost her St. Louis primary. Simultaneously, anti-Trump Republicans sought to secure a victory as they battled against candidates associated with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.

One of the most closely watched races was in Missouri, where Rep. Cori Bush, a member of the progressive group of House lawmakers known as "the Squad," faced a formidable challenge. Bush's defeat at the hands of St. Louis prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell highlighted the influence of her criticism towards the Israeli government's handling of the conflict in Gaza. As one of Israel's most vocal critics in the House, Bush had called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas after the latter's attack on the country. The race attracted significant attention as a super PAC aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee invested millions of dollars against Bush's reelection bid, making it the second most expensive House primary in U.S. history.

This defeat mirrors the earlier loss of Rep. Jamaal Bowman, another progressive member of "the Squad," during a June primary where he was defeated by a more moderate candidate. Bowman attributed his loss partially to low turnout and the influence of "special interest" groups such as AIPAC. Bush's and Bowman's ousters from their respective races signify a reduced level of influence for "the Squad" within Congress. Another member of the group, Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, is now facing a tough primary challenge with similar dynamics.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump following the January 6 Capitol attack, faced strong competition from Trump-backed candidates. Despite the challenges, Newhouse remains in the running in a nonpartisan primary contest, aiming to advance to the general election against his opponents.

With the departure of several House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for "incitement" of the mob attack, Newhouse and Rep. David Valadao of California are the only remaining GOP lawmakers who stood against the former president. Trump himself endorsed Newhouse's primary opponents, further intensifying the race. Although the election result has yet to be officially announced, Newhouse currently holds the second position, allowing him to potentially compete head-to-head with his primary opponent in November.

In Michigan, where Democrats hold a razor-thin majority in the Senate, the retirement of Sen. Debbie Stabenow opened up an opportunity for the GOP to gain another seat. The Senate race is expected to be highly competitive, with the Cook Political Report rating it as a toss-up between Republicans and Democrats. The winners of the pivotal Democratic and Republican Senate primaries will now prepare for a tough battle for the seat. Democratic Rep. Elise Slotkin and Republican Rep. Mike Rogers will face off against each other in a race that could determine which party controls the Senate. State polls currently show Slotkin with a close to 6-point lead over Rogers.

Beyond the Senate and House races, several battleground races in November will also shape the control of the U.S. House in 2025 and beyond. Primaries held in Michigan and Washington have laid the groundwork for some of these critical contests. The third district in Washington, which has traditionally leaned Democratic but also has pockets of Republican support, is expected to be closely contested. Likewise, Michigan's 8th District race, representing Flint, has become more conservative-leaning after recent redistricting efforts, potentially creating challenges for Democrats. Republican Paul Junge and Democratic state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet are set to compete for the seat, which has been declared a toss-up by the Cook Political Report.

As the 2024 election approaches, the outcomes of these critical primary races have provided early indications of the political landscape. With progressive Democrats facing setbacks and anti-Trump Republicans vying for victories, the stage is set for intense battles that could significantly impact the balance of power in Congress and shape the nation's trajectory moving forward.

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