What to look out for in Tuesday’s primaries as Trump ousts Massie in Kentucky

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump claimed another victory against a Republican adversary on⁢ Tuesday, unseating‌ Rep. Thomas Massie in ‌Kentucky’s primary and ​eliminating one of⁢ his fiercest critics in Congress.

Massie ⁣has been a persistent irritant for⁣ Trump. He advocated for the disclosure of the Jeffrey ⁤Epstein files, opposed the conflict with‍ Iran, ‌and voted against Trump’s landmark tax legislation last year. He was defeated by Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein in the most expensive House primary ever.

Massie attempted to persuade Republicans that they could back both him and Trump simultaneously, a strategy that has failed in other races nationwide and proved unsuccessful here⁤ as well.

Nevertheless, Massie will continue to serve in Congress‌ until his term‌ concludes in January. With no Republican⁢ primary in sight, ​he now has more freedom than ever to challenge Trump.

Massie’s loss is another indication that Republicans offer their politicians very little room to oppose⁢ Trump, who is‌ intent on revenge ​and⁤ has convinced his supporters to ​defeat his opponents time and⁤ again.

Here are some aspects to keep an​ eye on as votes continue to be counted across ​Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

Will Trump’s endorsement continue to be decisive?

Trump has consistently demonstrated that‌ Republican primary voters will heed his⁢ guidance, even as ⁣his popularity declines among the​ general electorate.

Prior to Massie’s defeat on Tuesday, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy⁢ of Louisiana failed to reach the runoff on Saturday, unable to mend his relationship with​ Trump five years after voting to convict him ⁢during his second‍ impeachment trial. Earlier this month, Trump successfully ousted five of the seven Indiana Republicans he targeted for voting against ⁣his redistricting plan.

Trump is exerting his influence in other areas on Tuesday as well.

In the race for Georgia governor, Trump is supporting ​Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in a surprisingly bitter battle for the Republican nomination.​ Jones, who hails from a wealthy Georgia family, has contributed $19 million to his campaign. However, billionaire Rick Jackson, a healthcare magnate, has invested‌ more than $83 million of his ⁢wealth ⁣into the ⁤race. Trump’s endorsement power has seldom been challenged against‌ such disproportionate spending.

Trump refrained from participating in Georgia’s Senate race, leaving a ‍crowded field of candidates vying to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is running unopposed for his ⁢party’s nomination. But⁣ in Alabama,​ Trump endorsed Rep. Barry‍ Moore for Senate to⁤ replace⁢ Tommy Tuberville, ‌who is running⁤ for governor.

After abstaining from a Senate runoff ‍in Texas taking place next week, ‌Trump​ on Tuesday endorsed Attorney ‌General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. ‌John Cornyn.

A‍ challenge‌ for Shapiro in Pennsylvania

It’s widely known that‌ Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro may ​have presidential aspirations.

However, on Tuesday,​ the Democrats’ political influence will be ⁤put to the test ‍in his home state, where⁢ he’s striving⁣ to elect a group⁣ of House candidates that he believes will give his party the ⁢best chance to flip Republican seats in the fall.

Shapiro’s endorsed candidates include Paige Cognetti, mayor ‍of Scranton; Bob Brooks, president of⁢ the ⁢state ‍firefighters’‌ union; and Janelle Stelson, a former ‌television ‍news personality who narrowly lost two years ago.

Despite his popularity, Shapiro’s endorsements haven’t deterred Democratic competitors,‌ who are battling to defeat the governor’s selections — and perhaps send a message that he’s not as formidable as⁤ he’d like to be with the 2028 presidential race on the horizon.

Politically adrift in Georgia?

Georgia is set to provide a new⁣ case study in the divergent ⁢paths available to Republicans who‌ defy Trump.

Secretary‌ of State Brad Raffensperger and‌ former Lt. Gov. Geoff​ Duncan were⁤ among the few Republicans to ⁢speak out⁣ against Trump’s⁣ attempt to overturn his⁤ 2020 loss.

Both are now running for governor — Raffensperger‍ as a Republican and Duncan⁤ as ⁤a Democrat — and both are trying to ‌persuade voters to overlook past statements.

Raffensperger is investing millions of his⁤ own ‍funds to reintroduce himself to Republicans by ‌reminding ⁣them of his⁤ lengthy career in conservative ‌politics before opposing Trump.

Conversely, Duncan is attempting to convince Democratic voters that they can trust him⁣ after‌ renouncing his previous opposition to‌ abortion ⁢rights, gun control, and the expansion of Georgia’s⁤ Medicaid ​program.

If no candidate secures 50% of the vote on Tuesday, the primaries‍ will proceed to a​ runoff on June 16.

Confusion in Alabama?

There may be widespread confusion in Alabama ⁤on Tuesday as​ votes cast in four of the state’s seven​ congressional districts may not be counted.

This is because Republican Gov. Kay Ivey ⁣recently⁣ postponed the primaries until Aug. 11, ⁣emboldened by the ‍recent Supreme Court decision that weakened the​ Voting Rights Act. Republicans across Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee​ are now hastily redrawing congressional boundaries to eliminate some majority-Black U.S. House districts to⁤ maximize⁤ their political advantage.

Over the weekend,‍ thousands of civil rights ⁢activists rallied in Alabama against the changes, but the redistricting plan ⁢is proceeding.

This means that ballots cast on Tuesday in primaries for ⁣Alabama’s 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th congressional districts will be ⁤nullified, according to the secretary of state, while state officials revert to a previous set of Republican-drawn district boundaries.

It’s understandable if⁢ you’re confused. Alabama voters will still⁢ select nominees on Tuesday as planned for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th congressional ‌districts,‌ as well as for⁢ Senate and a full range of state and local offices.

Rep. David ​Scott’s death highlights Democratic gerontocracy

The late Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., was ⁤the fourth Democrat to die in office this‌ term, fueling a growing unease ⁣on the left over ⁣the party’s aging leadership. Scott, who was 80 when he passed away, was‌ seeking‍ a 13th term.

Scott’s⁣ name will appear on the ballot ‌alongside five other candidates running in the Democratic primary, but his ⁢votes will not ⁣be counted. Whether someone⁣ wins on Tuesday ‌or the race⁤ goes to a runoff on June 16, the Democratic⁤ nominee‌ is⁣ almost certain to win the general election in a district that leans heavily Democratic.

A special election on July 28 will‍ determine who completes the remainder of Scott’s term, with a runoff ⁤on Aug.‍ 25 if no candidate secures a majority.