The fight to shape the future of the Democratic Party is playing out in a slew of key primaries across six states Tuesday, as races across six states set the matchups in crucial November battlegrounds and settle personal and ideological battles across the country.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Voters will head to the polls in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota, with the biggest contest of the night being California’s race to succeed Gov.Gavin Newsom.California has a slew of important House primaries, too, after Democrats redrew the state’s congressional lines in hope of netting their party up to five seats.
More than a half-dozen incumbents in both parties are fighting for political survival.And in Iowa, where they believe they can compete up and down the ballot despite Republicans’ recent dominance, Democrats first have to get through a competitive Senate primary, while a broad field of Republicans has been competing for the governorship.Here are the major races to watch.California contestsThe race to succeed Newsom, who is term-limited, has largely narrowed to a three-way contest among two Democrats — former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire activist Tom Steyer — and former television personality Steve Hilton, a Republican.
Newsom has stayed neutral in the race.California’s primaries are top-two contests, in which all candidates run on the same ballot and the top two move on to the general election, regardless of party.That means it is possible for one party to be shut out of the general election.The race also includes former Rep.
Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan — all Democrats — and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican.Becerra has surged in polls since former Rep.Eric Swalwell dropped...