A rare Trump setback, a missing congressman and Spencer Pratt: 6 takeaways from the latest midterm primaries

By — Steven Sloan, Associated Press Steven Sloan, Associated Press By — Steve Peoples, Associated Press Steve Peoples, Associated Press By — Humera Lodhi, Associated Press Humera Lodhi, Associated Press By — Simran Parwani, Associated Press Simran Parwani, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/a-rare-trump-setback-a-missing-congressman-and-spencer-pratt-6-takeaways-from-the-latest-midterm-primaries Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter A rare Trump setback, a missing congressman and Spencer Pratt: 6 takeaways from the latest midterm primaries Politics Jun 3, 2026 10:59 AM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The contours of a premier Senate race took shape in Iowa, while President Donald Trump's endorsement streak ran into a roadblock there. Democrats chose a nominee for a House race in New Jersey that could decide control of the chamber. But much of the focus was on California, home to Hollywood but not a governor's race packing much star power. Here are takeaways from primary elections Tuesday in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. Find live results from the Associated Press: California Iowa Montana New Jersey New Mexico South Dakota Iowa Democrats rally behind former Paralympian in marquee Senate race Democrats stunned by how Trump has remade American politics have spent the past decade debating which type of candidate is best positioned to energize voters and win elections, not moral victories. Iowa marked the latest stop in this sometimes agonizing conversation. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. The party's establishment supported Josh Turek, a state representative who presented a compelling personal biography that included competing for the United States in four Paralympics. State Sen. Zach Wahls offered himself as a more disruptive figure, refusing to back Chuck Schumer of New York as the Senate Democratic leader if he were elected. Democratic voters united behind Turek, who will face Republican Ashley Hinson in November. At this point, many of the party's most fractious races are behind them. But Turek's win could be closely watched in Michigan, where one of the last major Democratic primaries will unfold on Aug. 4. Rep. Haley Stevens is emerging as the establishment candidate there vying against state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and progressive Abdul El-Sayed. Both races are important for Democrats increasingly bullish about regaining the Senate majority. To get there, they must retain the open seat in Michigan while looking for pickup opportunities in places such as Iowa. The results in the fall could have longer-term implications as Democrats look to rebuild their standing in the Midwest, which swung to the Republican president in 2024. Trump's endorsement streak faces setback in Iowa In just the past month, the power of Trump's endorsement helped