Election Primary Results: August 28, 2018
John McCain has died, but Jeff Flake is the senator Arizona voters will take the first step in replacing Tuesday. Republicans are choosing between Rep. Martha McSally, former state Sen. Kelli Ward, and former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in a three-way primary. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema is the likely Democratic nominee, though lawyer Deedra Abboud is also on the ballot. The seat is viewed as a Democratic pickup opportunity, though Republicans are confident in McSally.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is the man tasked with choosing McCain’s placement until a 2020 special election. But he is facing electoral challenges of his own. Former Secretary of State Ken Bennett is challenging him in the Republican primary. Former state education official David Garcia, state Sen. Steve Farley and YWCA Southern Arizona head Kelly Fryer are vying for the Democratic nomination.
Republicans hope to nominate a candidate capable of knocking off Democratic Rep. Tom O’Halleran in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District while Democrats are eyeing Arizona’s 2nd District, which is being vacated by McSally.
In Florida, both parties are seeking potential replacements for outgoing Gov. Rick Scott. The main Republican candidates are Rep. Ron DeSantis, who has President Trump’s endorsement, and state agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam. The Democrats are former Rep. Gwen Graham, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, and businessman Jeff Greene. Gillum got a last-minute boost from liberal billionaire Tom Steyer, a crusader for the environment and Trump’s impeachment.
Scott will become the Republican nominee to challenge Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. The race is viewed as a chance for a GOP pickup. Trump helped recruit Scott to run.
There are also a number of competitive congressional primaries in Florida. The Sixth District seat is being vacated by DeSantis. There are three-way races in both parties, with Nancy Soderberg favored for the Democratic nomination and Michael Waltz the Republican front-runner, though the GOP race is believed to be closer.
In the 7th District, Rep. Stephanie Murphy is facing a primary challenge from progressive Chardo Richardson. State Rep. Mike Miller, businessman Scott Sturgill and political newcomer Vennia Francois are running on the Republican side, hoping to capitalize if Murphy goes down.
Rep. Dennis Ross is retiring in the 15th District. State Rep. Ross Spano and former state Rep. Neil Combee are the Republicans, Kristen Carlson, and Andrew Learned appear to be the top Democrats.
Democrats are hoping to pick up Republican seats in the 16th District (held by Rep. Vern Buchanan), the 18th District (held by Rep. Brian Mast), the 25th District (held by Mario-Diaz Balart), the 26th District (held by Rep. Carlos Curbelo), and the 27th District (being vacated by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen). Donna Shalala, secretary of health and human services under former President Bill Clinton, is one of the Democrats running for the last seat.
Finally, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Tulsa businessman Kevin Stitt are in a runoff for the Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor, seeking to replace unpopular Gov. Mary Fallin.
