Four states and Washington DC woke up to primary results

by mcardinal

Savannah Hulsey Pointer, FISM News 

 

The states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia all went to the polls on Tuesday in the most recent round of primaries as a lead-up to the November midterms. Many went to bed still awaiting the results, however, as counting stretched into the early morning hours for several major elections. 

The power of former President Donald Trump’s endorsement once again proved formidable in what was possibly the most anticipated election on Tuesday, as Trump-backed Katie Britt defeated incumbent Rep. Mo Brooks in Alabama’s GOP primary. The loss was particularly bitter for Brooks after Trump pulled his endorsement in favor of Britt.

Trump called Brooks “woke” and backed Britt after the Alabama representative in March advised Trump and Republicans to move on from claims that the 2020 election was stolen.

Brooks offered a bitter concession speech on Tuesday after it was clear he had lost

“It’s always appropriate to congratulate the winners, and some of these winners might be a little bit unexpected, but I’d be remiss if I did not congratulate the Alabama Democratic Party for helping to ensure that the Democratic nominee in the Republican primary won,” Brooks said during a prepared speech to supporters who gathered with the congressman for an election night party at a Huntsville gun range. “Congratulations to the Democrats. They now have two nominees in the general election.” 

Britt is expected to win in November, given strong Republican support in the district. 

Elsewhere in Alabama, 2020 election skeptic Rep. Wes Allen secured the Republican nomination for secretary of State. Allen is also expected to win the general election, prompting concern among Democrats, that if elected, their top election official could act on concerns about the last general election. 

Trump endorsements, however, failed to end in success for several Georgia GOP candidates including Vernon Jones in the 10th congressional district and Jake Evans in the 6th, both of whom were beaten by their opponents in runoffs.

Also in Georgia, Chris West won the GOP runoff for a southwest Georgia House seat that Republicans believe they can turn red under the nose of 30-year Democratic incumbent Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. this November. The race is taking place in the newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District. This is now considered to be Georgia’s only competitive district that would allow Republicans a chance to gain a House seat this November. 

In Virginia, incumbent Rep. Ben Cline won the Republican nomination for Virginia’s 6th Congressional District over challenger Merritt Hale by a wide margin. In a press release, Cline said, “I look forward to continuing our campaign in the months ahead as we discuss the issues that matter most to voters and how we can work together to find real solutions to the challenges we face as a nation.”

Republicans in Virginia believe they could have a chance to take the 7th district where Yesli Vega, formerly an auxiliary deputy, won the primary election that previously covered the Richmond suburbs, but now oversees an area between Charlottesville and the Washington suburbs.

In the District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser won the Democrat primary, likely securing her third term in office. Should she win in November she would be only the second mayor to hold the office for three consecutive terms since the district gained autonomous rule in 1975.

Finally, in Texas, a runoff recount ended with Rep. Henry Cuellar winning the Democratic nomination in his southern district, pushing back progressive immigration lawyer Jessica Cisneros. Cuellar will likely win the election, which would lead to another term for the House of Representatives only pro-life Democrat. 

DONATE NOW