In a flurry of political activities, several states are hosting non-presidential primaries, special elections, and primary runoffs, shaping the future of key races and nominations. New York, Colorado, Utah, and South Carolina are all in the spotlight today.

The headline race is taking place in New York's 16th district, where progressive Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman faces a tough challenge from Westchester County Executive George Latimer. This closely watched race will determine the direction of the district's representation.

In Colorado's 4th district, controversial GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert is switching districts after a narrow victory in the 2022 election. Boebert will need to defeat five other Republican hopefuls to secure the nomination in this Republican-leaning district. The special election to replace former GOP Rep. Ken Buck, who resigned in March, has GOP nominee Greg Lopez not seeking the full term.

Utah is witnessing Republican primary challenges to 2nd district Rep. Celeste Maloy, who won a special election last year, and to Governor Spencer Cox. Additionally, the GOP Senate primary in Utah, to replace retiring incumbent Mitt Romney, features Trent Staggs aiming for an upset against Rep. John Curtis with the help of a Trump endorsement.

South Carolina's primary runoff in the 3rd district Republican primary sees Trump-endorsed pastor Mark Burns facing off against Sheri Biggs, a nurse practitioner endorsed by Gov. Henry McMaster. This race has attracted attention due to the endorsements and the high stakes involved.

Meanwhile, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced plans for a live-streamed rebuttal of the upcoming CNN presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Kennedy's decision comes after he failed to meet the criteria to qualify for the debate. He directed his supporters to follow the debate on alternative platforms like his social media account or TheRealDebate.com.

In a separate development, top Trump campaign officials have sought to raise expectations for President Joe Biden ahead of the CNN presidential debate. They argue that Biden, with his extensive experience participating in debates over the past 50 years, will be "ready to go" and showcase his prowess on the stage. These comments stand in contrast to Trump's previous claims about Biden's mental fitness.

The divergent viewpoints of President Joe Biden and Donald Trump on America's role on the world stage also come into focus. Biden emphasizes bolstering alliances with European countries and upholding commitments to NATO and Ukraine, while Trump has advocated for a more isolationist approach, particularly concerning Ukraine.

As the countdown to the debate continues, both candidates are preparing for this historic face-off. Biden is expected to be joined by his team of top aides at Camp David, while the Trump campaign has pledged to fact-check in real-time during the debate.

Theatrics also came into play as a coin flip determined podium placement and the order of closing statements. Biden's campaign won the flip and chose the right podium position, with Trump's campaign opting for the former president to deliver the last closing statement.

Thursday's debate between Biden and Trump marks a significant moment in history, being the first presidential debate between an incumbent and a former president. It also serves as the first debate featuring either Biden, who faced little competition in the Democratic primary, or Trump, who skipped primary debates during the Republican race.

With primaries, special elections, and the highly anticipated debate, the political landscape is buzzing with activity, setting the stage for significant developments in the coming days and weeks.