Open Senate primaries give Trump big opportunities for influence

A wave of Senate Republican retirements has led to a scramble across the country for resources, influence, and, perhaps most importantly, the blessing of former President Donald Trump.

The open seats — GOP incumbents have announced plans not to seek reelection in Ohio, Alabama, Missouri, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania — have created a void Trump is uniquely positioned to fill. At a time when the party is wrestling with its direction in the post-Trump era, the former president’s involvement in primaries could significantly shape the slate of candidates that the GOP is ultimately forced to back when the general contests begin.