Key Races and Issues to Watch in Maryland, West Virginia, and Nebraska Primaries on Tuesday

The upcoming presidential and congressional primaries in Maryland, West Virginia, and Nebraska are heating up with plenty of fireworks down the ballot. Despite the general election matchup being set between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, there are several key races to watch on Tuesday.

In Maryland, the bitter Democratic Senate primary between Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Rep. David Trone has captured attention. Trone, a wealthy businessman, has poured over $50 million of his own money into the race, outspending Alsobrooks and drawing criticism for his self-financing. On the other hand, Alsobrooks has garnered support from groups like EMILY’s List, who have spent over $2 million on ads supporting her candidacy.

Meanwhile, in the Republican Senate primary in Maryland, former Governor Larry Hogan faces a tough challenge in a deep-blue state. Hogan, who is known for his criticism of Donald Trump, is considered the frontrunner but will need to watch his performance among Republican primary voters.

In Maryland’s 3rd Congressional district, concerns have been raised about heavy outside spending from the United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with AIPAC, in support of state Senator Sarah Elfreth. Candidate Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer, has called the expenditures troubling, but Elfreth’s campaign manager defended the support as a sign of her frontrunner status.

In West Virginia, the GOP primary for U.S. Senate will likely determine who replaces retiring Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. Governor Jim Justice and U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney are the main contenders, with Justice holding a slight advantage in polling and fundraising. The race could indicate whether Republican voters are looking for an establishment candidate or an anti-establishment figure.

Lastly, there may be a major ‘Uncommitted’ protest vote against Joe Biden in some states, including Maryland, where activists are urging voters to choose the “uncommitted” option on their ballot to protest Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Biden campaign has responded, emphasizing the importance of participating in democracy and working towards peace in the Middle East.

Overall, Tuesday’s primaries in Maryland, West Virginia, and Nebraska promise to be exciting and closely watched, with implications for the general election in November. Stay tuned for updates on these key races.