2026 US Primary Elections Show Mixed Results for Trump Endorsements
The Facts
Josh Turek won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Iowa and will face Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson in the general election for the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Sen. Joni Ernst. In Iowa's Republican gubernatorial primary, farmer Zach Lahn defeated Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra in an upset victory. Primary elections were also held in California, New Jersey, Montana, New Mexico, and South Dakota on Tuesday.
How different outlets are framing this
The coverage reveals distinct editorial priorities across outlets regarding Trump's influence in Republican primaries. Politico and Fox News explicitly frame Feenstra's loss as 'a blow' to Trump's endorsement power, with Politico noting this breaks Trump's streak of successful candidate picks this cycle. The Washington Post similarly emphasizes the upset as significant for 'Trump's dominance in Republican nominating contests.' In contrast, the Associated Press reports focus more neutrally on race mechanics and candidate backgrounds without highlighting the Trump angle as prominently.
Outlets also differ in how they contextualize Democratic opportunities. Politico runs the most optimistic Democratic framing with a headline declaring 'Democrats see the stars aligning in Iowa' and describing it as their 'best shot to win big in Iowa in more than a decade.' USA Today emphasizes Turek's compelling personal narrative as a Paralympic gold medalist, while the Associated Press and Washington Post provide more straightforward electoral reporting. Fox News notably mentions that Lahn was 'MAHA-backed' (referring to the Make America Healthy Again movement), adding ideological context that other outlets omit. The Associated Press provides the most comprehensive multi-state primary coverage, while other outlets focus more narrowly on Iowa's marquee races.
Source Articles
- Fox News3 Jun, 12:52Election results from June 2 primaries with key races underway in California, Iowa and across the US
Follow live updates, race calls and results from the June 2 primary elections in California, New Jersey, Iowa, Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota as voters weigh in on key races ahead of the 2026 midterms.
- Washington Post3 Jun, 09:00Seven takeaways from a big primary night in Iowa, California and more
In Iowa, Josh Turek won the Democratic nomination for Senate, defeating a rival who had criticized party leaders. Major races in California were not yet called.
- Politico3 Jun, 08:45Democrats see the stars aligning in Iowa
With Rob Sand atop the ticket, Josh Turek as their newly minted Senate nominee and multiple House races in play, Democrats believe they have the best shot to win big in Iowa in more than a decade.
- USA Today3 Jun, 05:42Paralympian Josh Turek seeks to flip Iowa Senate seat for Democrats
The former U.S. men's wheelchair basketball player won gold medals and now the Democratic nomination for Iowa's Senate seat.
- Fox News3 Jun, 05:37Trump-endorsed Feenstra concedes to MAHA-backed Lahn in GOP governor primary upset
Zach Lahn’s surprise win over Trump-backed Rep. Randy Feenstra sets up a November matchup with Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand in a race both parties are watching closely.
- Washington Post3 Jun, 04:19Trump’s pick for Iowa governor concedes GOP primary in upset
Rep. Randy Feenstra’s apparent loss to farmer Zach Lahn is a blow to Trump’s dominance in Republican nominating contests.
- Politico3 Jun, 04:02Trump-backed Rep. Randy Feenstra concedes Iowa governor primary
It’s a blow for the president, who has seen most of his chosen candidates this cycle sail to victory or advance to runoff elections — until now.
- Politico3 Jun, 01:42Paralympic gold medalist Josh Turek wins Iowa Senate primary with establishment support
The state representative hopes to become the first Democrat to win a Senate race in Iowa since 2008.
- Associated Press3 Jun, 00:43Alaska Senate race has 2 Dan Sullivans, drawing incumbent's ire
Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is accusing one of his opponents in the Alaska primary — another Republican candidate named Dan Sullivan — of working with Democrats to boost the chances of his main rival, former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. The race is nat…
- Associated Press2 Jun, 04:01Rebecca Bennett wins Democratic primary in New Jersey's 7th District
Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, has won the New Jersey Democratic primary in the battleground 7th District. She’s set to take on Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who has been away from Congress with an unspecified illness for months. Bennett’s T…
- Associated Press2 Jun, 04:01Early takeaways from Tuesday's primaries as Democrats try to defend California and make Iowa inroads
The contours of one of this year’s premier U.S. Senate races are taking shape in Iowa. Democrats have chosen a nominee for a U.S. House race in New Jersey that could decide who controls the chamber after November’s elections. But much of the focus Tuesday nig…
- Associated Press2 Jun, 04:00Josh Turek and Ashley Hinson to compete for crucial US Senate seat in Iowa
Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek won Tuesday’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and will next try to flip the seat currently held by GOP Sen. Joni Ernst, who is retiring. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson has secured the GOP’s nomination for Senate. Turek defeated state Se…