Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* It’s Primary Day in eight states, though many of the most important contests are in California, where the state’s top-two “jungle” primary system risks locking out Democrats in some key congressional districts. Pay particular attention to the results in the 48th, 39th, 49th, 10th, and 50th districts.
* Voters in the Golden State will also see primaries in two big statewide contests: California’s gubernatorial race and the U.S. Senate race. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) are expected to easily come out on top, but it’s less clear who’ll finish second and advance to the general election. (Donald Trump reiterated his support for GOP gubernatorial hopeful John Cox this morning.)
* It’s also Primary Day in Iowa, and among the key races is the Democratic gubernatorial primary. Businessman Fred Hubbell (D) appears to be the frontrunner.
* In Montana, Republicans will choose a nominee to take on Sen. Jon Tester (D) in the fall, and despite his apparently false claims about being a rancher, state Auditor Matthew Rosendale (R) seems likely to prevail.
* In Mississippi, incumbent Sen. Roger Wicker (R) faces a primary rival, and several Dems are vying for the right to take him on in November, but this race became a lot less interesting after former Sen. Thad Cochran (R) stepped down for health reasons, and several top-tier candidates jumped into the race to replace him. * In South Dakota, an interesting GOP gubernatorial primary will be resolved today, pitting Rep. Kristi Noem against state Attorney General Marty Jackley. The winner will face state Senate Minority Leader Billie Sutton (D) in November. * And though this is a little off the beaten path, keep an eye on Rep. Martha Roby’s (R) primary fight in Alabama today. Among other things, her rivals have accused her of being insufficiently loyal to Donald Trump.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past." Recommended
