Former President Donald Trump’s name will appear on the ballot for the first time since his conviction on felony crimes. It’s happening as a few states hold the final Republican presidential primary contests of 2024.
Trump will be on the ballot in Montana, New Jersey, and New Mexico. President Joe Biden, the expected Democratic nominee, will also be competing in primaries in these states along with one in Washington, D.C., and another in South Dakota.
In Washington, D.C., Republicans held a party-run primary in March, while South Dakota canceled its GOP presidential primary since Trump was uncontested. Beyond the presidential race, voters will cast ballots in primary races for various federal, state, and local offices in these states.
Both Trump and Biden are expected to easily win these contests as they are the last major candidates still running. However, the results could indicate voter concerns about their choices as the November election approaches.
If Trump’s victory margins are smaller than expected, it might suggest that voters are hesitant about nominating a presidential candidate with a felony criminal record. Trump’s dominance in the primaries has also been challenged by ongoing support from a minority of GOP voters for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who withdrew from the race in March.
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Tuesday’s contests may indicate whether her supporters will back Trump as she recently stated she would vote for him in November.
Biden has faced his own challenges with ongoing protest votes in recent contests as Democratic voters unhappy with his handling of certain issues seek to express their disapproval. There are organized campaigns in several states urging voters to choose “uncommitted” in the Democratic contests.
In New Jersey’s primary, “uncommitted” will be listed on the ballot in many counties above the phrase, “Justice For Palestine, Permanent Ceasefire Now!”
Additionally, the states are holding primary elections for various federal and local races. One of the most closely watched races is the Republican Senate race in Montana. Retired Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy, backed by Trump and national Republican leaders, is facing two other candidates in this race.
The winner will challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in what’s expected to be one of the most competitive races that could determine control of the chamber.
In New Jersey, Democrats will pick a candidate to replace scandal-plagued Sen. Bob Menendez, who is on trial in New York on federal corruption charges. Menendez decided not to run in the primary and filed paperwork to run in the general election as an independent candidate. Rep.
Andy Kim is considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, while several candidates are vying for the Republican nomination, including those with Trump’s backing.
In New Mexico, where Democrats hold all three of the state’s U.S. House seats, only one primary will be held in the 1st District. Republicans Louie Sanchez and Steve Jones will compete to challenge incumbent Melanie Stansbury in a Democratic-leaning district based in Albuquerque.
In Washington, D.C., voters will decide on a primary for the city’s nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House, and in Iowa, voters will pick nominees in primary elections for local races and U.S. House seats, including one that could play a key role in determining control of the House.
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