Key Senate Race Matchups Set After Tuesday Primaries: Hogan vs. Alsobrooks in Maryland, Justice vs. Elliott in West Virginia

The stage is set for a high-stakes battle for control of the Senate this fall, with key matchups emerging from Tuesday’s primaries. In Maryland, former Gov. Larry Hogan secured the Republican nomination, while Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County Executive, defeated Rep. David Trone in a hard-fought Democratic primary. In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice easily won the GOP primary, setting up a showdown with Democratic nominee Glenn Elliott for the Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Joe Manchin’s retirement.

The primaries also saw moderate House Republicans successfully fend off conservative challengers and Republicans selecting their nominee to replace Justice as governor. Despite taking place in states that are not typically competitive in presidential elections, the races offered insights into the ongoing dynamics within the Republican party, with some voters still showing a willingness to vote against Trump.

In Maryland, Trone’s significant financial investment in his campaign was not enough to secure him the Democratic nomination, as Alsobrooks emerged victorious. Alsobrooks will now face Hogan in what is expected to be a closely watched and hotly contested race. In West Virginia, Justice is in a strong position to flip Manchin’s Senate seat to Republican control, further solidifying the state’s shift towards the GOP.

Additionally, Maryland saw a significant win for state Sen. Sarah Elfreth, who secured the Democratic nomination for Congress with support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s super PAC. In Nebraska and West Virginia, moderate House Republican incumbents prevailed in their respective primaries, setting the stage for competitive general election matchups.

The West Virginia gubernatorial primary was marked by a contentious race, with Attorney General Patrick Morrisey ultimately emerging victorious. The general election will see Morrisey facing off against Democratic Huntington Mayor Steve Williams.

Overall, Tuesday’s primaries provided a glimpse into the upcoming battle for control of the Senate and highlighted the complex dynamics at play within both the Republican and Democratic parties. The stage is now set for a series of closely watched and highly contested races leading up to the fall elections.