Eight US states go to all important primaries before Nov mid-term polls

Tuesday, June 5, marked an important day in the electoral politics of the United States as eight states held major primaries that would set the tone for the midterm elections in November this year. While the California primaries caught all eyes, voters in Montana, Alabama, Iowa, New Jersey, South Dakota, Mississippi and New Mexico also went to cast their ballots.

The primaries in California were followed the most and there was a goof-up that delayed things. A report by CBS News said the Los Angeles County Registrar told the local voters whose names did not appear on the roster at the polling stations that they would be given provisional ballots after a printing error affected many voter rolls in four precincts. Over 1.1 lakh voters saw their names being omitted. The primaries in California could spill over into Wednesday because of the delay.

California's primaries are significant from the Democrats' perspective. Incumbent senator Dianne Feinstein from the Democratic Party is under pressure but since a number of Republicans are not returning to the Congress after 2018, the seats are up for grabs for the Democrats. US President Donald Trump also tweeted supporting California Republicans House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

For the governor's race, Trump backed John Cox over state Assemblyman Travis Allen, a move which could divide the Republican votes and allow the Democrats to go through.

In South Dakota, Republican Kristi Noem took on state Attorney General Marty Jackley in the governor's race.

In New Mexico primary, Mick Rich could be the man in the Republican race for Senate while for the Democrats, Martin Heinrich is being seen as the favourite, the AP said. Michelle Lujan Grisham could win the Democratic primary, the AP projected.

In Iowa, Fred Hubbell, a businessman from Des Moines, won the Democratic gubernatorial primary and will take on the state's Republican Governor Kim Reynolds.

In Montana, all eyes were on the fight between Republicans Matthew Rosendale and former judge Russell Fagg and the winner will take on the state's Democratic senator John Tester, who has been under Trump's attack of late, this November.

In Alabama, a gubernatorial election was also held besides the primaries. In this state, Republican governor Kay Ivey is in the race for full-term in office after filling the vacancy which was created by the resignation of former governor Robert Bentley last year.

In Mississippi, the AP has projected incumbent senator Roger Wicker as the favourite to win the Republican primary race for the Senate. Trump backed Wicker as one who did everything necessary to make America great again.

In New Jersey, the AP

New Jersey primary results showed incumbent Senator Bob Menendez winning it for the Democrats while another Bob - Hugin - made it for the Republicans.