Primary elections live updates

1 year ago

This concludes coverage of the June 19 primaries

From Washington Examiner Staff

Thank you for following along. To continue reading coverage of the 2024 elections from the Washington Examiner, click here.

1 year ago

Bob Good primary race too close to call, could be headed for recount

From Cami Mondeaux

The high-profile primary election between House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) and Virginia state Rep. John McGuire remained too close to call as primary election night drew to a close, with a recount possibly being in the cards as the margin remained razor thin throughout the night.

The two candidates were locked in a tight race throughout the night, with both Good and McGuire alternating places to take the lead. McGuire still held a narrow advantage late Tuesday night, garnering 50.3% of the vote compared to Good’s 49.7% with 98% of all ballots tallied as of 12:24 a.m. Wednesday morning.

But with the slight margin, it’s possible the race could head into a recount.

Under Virginia state law, the losing candidate could request a recount if the final tally comes within 1 percentage point. The challenge would need to be made within 10 days of the results being certified, and the results of the recount would not be subject to appeal.

It’s not clear whether either candidate would file for a recount.

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1 year ago

Races for Spanberger and Wexton open seats set as both congresswomen’s time in House nears end

From Cami Mondeaux

As Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) aims for Virginia’s governorship, and Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) retires from Congress due to health reasons, the two Democratic congresswomen’s time in the House is coming to a close.

Voters from both parties have chosen their candidates for the seats representing Virginia’s 7th and 10th Congressional Districts, as the two seats are open for the first time in six years.

Both Spanberger and Wexton were first elected in the 2018 midterm elections during a Democratic blue wave, flipping both seats in their party’s favor and being reelected each cycle since. The seat of Spanberger is viewed as a top pickup opportunity for Republicans, while Wexton’s is rated “solid Democrat” by the Cook Political Report.

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1 year ago

Bob Good primary could result in recount

From Cami Mondeaux

The primary race between House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) and Virginia state Rep. John McGuire is coming down to the wire and could result in a recount if neither candidate can widen the margin before all votes are counted.

With 93% of the ballots tallied, McGuire narrowly leads Good 50.23% to 49.77%, just 0.46 percentage points. Under Virginia state law, the losing candidate could request a recount if the final tally comes within 1 percentage point.

The challenge would need to be made within 10 days of the results being certified, and the results of the recount would not be subject to appeal.

1 year ago

Trump-backed candidates largely see success, with last endorsement still fighting for nomination

From Samantha-Jo Roth

Donald Trump continued his near-perfect record of congressional endorsements this cycle, as nearly all of the candidates the former president backed have emerged victorious over their primary opponents in Tuesday night’s primary elections.

Of the seven candidates he endorsed, only one race is still outstanding. Trump endorsed retired Navy Capt. Hung Cao, who won the Senate GOP primary in Virginia, beating out four other Republican rivals, and will take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) in November.

He also endorsed Brian Jack, who won the Republican primary runoff in the race to represent Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday. It is still unclear if Trump’s endorsement of state Rep. John McGuire in an effort to oust Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) will be successful. The race is still too close to call.

He endorsed Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) in Virginia’s 1st District, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) in Virginia’s 2nd District, Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) in Virginia’s 6th District, and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) in Virginia’s 9th District, though all of them were unopposed.

1 year ago

Bob Good primary challenge remains razor thin as primary night drags on

From Cami Mondeaux

The primary election for Rep. Bob Good’s (R-VA) seat in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District remained razor thin as the night dragged on, with the House Freedom Caucus chairman narrowly trailing behind state Rep. John McGuire.

With 82% of the vote tallied, the tally has shifted back and forth between Good and McGuire as they take turns leading the board. As of 9:27 p.m. local time, the race remained too close to call.

The race has become one of the most closely watched races of the 2024 cycle as Good faces a possible referendum from some of his conservative colleagues, including former President Donald Trump and former House Speaker Mike McCarthy.

1 year ago

Democrat Suhas Subramanyam wins contentious primary to replace Rep. Jennifer Wexton

From Cami Mondeaux

Suhas Subramanyam won the Democratic primary to replace Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), bringing to an end one of the most contentious primary elections of the 2024 cycle. 

Subramanyam won the primary with 30.3% of the vote with roughly 92% of ballots tallied. The race was called by the Associated Press at 9:15 p.m. local time.

Wexton’s absence in the race attracted a crowded field of 12 Democrats looking to succeed her, making it difficult for any one candidate to emerge as the clear front-runner. However, Subramanyam was endorsed by Wexton herself, giving him a major boost. 

The race attracted attention as many of the leading candidates in the race attracted some controversy heading into the primary. Subramanyam was faced with claims he improperly listed employees on his state Senate staff on his campaign payroll, allegations he denied. 

Runner-up Dan Helmer also came under fire after he was accused last week of sexual harassment by an anonymous Democratic staffer, claims he vehemently denies.

Subramanyam will go on to face Republican candidate Mike Clancy, who won his party’s nomination during the primaries on Tuesday. Clancy emerged from a field of four candidates with more than 60% of the vote. 

1 year ago

Rep. Tom Cole successfully avoids runoff, handily winning primary

From Samantha-Jo Roth

Incumbent Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) defeated a crowded primary field in Oklahoma‘s 4th Congressional District on Tuesday night, avoiding a potential runoff.

The Associated Press called the race for Cole, who won 66.2% of the vote with 37 % of votes counted, nearly 30 minutes after polls closed. Cole’s closest challenger, Paul Bondar, received 24.4% of the vote. Three other candidates were also on the ballot.

Cole, who has held his seat since the 2002 election, is one of the last remaining members of the Republican Party’s establishment wing. He has a new role as the chairman of the Appropriations Committee after Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) stepped down from the position.

1 year ago

Democrats choose a first-time candidate to take on Rep. Rob Wittman

From Mabinty Quarshie

Political novice Leslie Mehta defeated fellow Democrat, retired Army Col. Herbert Jones Jr., in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District primary.

The Associated Press called the race nearly an hour and a half after polls closed at 7 p.m. Mehta won 68% compared to Jones’s 32.3% with 53% of votes counted.

Mehta, a former lead attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, will take on longtime Republican Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) in the fall, although the Cook Political Report listed the seat as solid Republican.

1 year ago

Incumbent Rep. Kevin Hern wins GOP primary

From Samantha-Jo Roth

Incumbent Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) comfortably defeated a Republican challenger in Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday night.

The Associated Press called the race for Hern, who won 85.6% with just 6% of votes counted, nearly 20 minutes after polls closed.

Hern beat out Paul Royse for the seat in the Tulsa-based district. Royse had not filed campaign finance disclosures with the Federal Election Commission. On the Democratic side, former FBI agent Dennis Baker will face Hern in November.

1 year ago

Gloria Witt wins Democratic primary as Bob Good primary race remains close

From Cami Mondeaux

Democratic candidate Gloria Witt won the Democratic primary for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, setting the stage for her to face whoever wins the competitive primary between incumbent Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) and state Rep. John McGuire.

Witt won her party’s nomination with more than 60% of the vote with roughly 32% of ballots tallied. The Associated Press called the race in her favor at 8:19 p.m. local time.

Witt will go on to face whoever wins the Republican primary, which has proven to be a tight race between Good and McGuire. Both candidates have taken turns leading the charge, with current tallies showing McGuire narrowly leading Good 50.8% to 49.2% with 93% of ballots counted.

1 year ago

Longtime Rep. Frank Lucas beats two GOP challengers

From Mabinty Quarshie

Incumbent Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) comfortably defeated two Republican challengers in Oklahoma’s 3rd Congressional District Tuesday night.

The Associated Press called the race for Lucas, who won nearly 76% with just 9% of votes counted, less than 20 minutes after polls closed.

Robin Carder and Darren Hamilton were hoping to unseat Lucas, who has been in Congress since 1994 and is the chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

1 year ago

Eugene Vindman wins Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Abigail Spanberger

From Cami Mondeaux

Eugene Vindman won the Democratic primary to replace Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, setting the stage for a competitive race in November as Democrats look to hold on to the swing seat.

Vindman won after receiving more than 51% of the vote with roughly 26% of ballots tallied. The Associated Press called the race in his favor at 8:06 p.m.

Spanberger’s decision to run for governor leaves her seat open for the first time since she was elected in 2018; House Republicans are eyeing the seat as one of the best pickup opportunities of the 2024 cycle.

The seat is thought to lean Democratic, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, attracting a crowded field of six candidates vying to replace Spanberger. Seven Republicans have also thrown their names in the race, including front-runners Derrick Anderson, a former Green Beret, and Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL.

The GOP primary remains too close to call as of 8:15 p.m. local time.  

1 year ago

Democrats choose candidate to face Rep. Jen Kiggans

From Mabinty Quarshie

Navy veteran Missy Cotter Smasal won the Democratic primary for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, defeating fellow Democrat Jeremiah Denton.

The Associated Press called the race at 8:04 p.m., with Smasal winning nearly 69% of the vote compared to Denton’s 31.4% and 24% of votes counted.

Smasal, who is supported by former Democratic Govs. Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe, seeks to unseat Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) in a district that President Joe Biden narrowly won the district in 2022.

Kiggans defeated former Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria during the 2022 midterm elections.

1 year ago

Oklahoma polls close

From Mabinty Quarshie

Polls in Oklahoma closed at 8 p.m. Eastern as voters decide whether to give Republican incumbents another chance at serving in the House.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) is defending his seat from a GOP rival, as are Reps. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Kevin Hern (R-OK).

Polls have already closed in Virginia and Georgia, which also held congressional primary contests on Tuesday.