Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* In Georgia yesterday, Stacey Abrams (D) easily won her gubernatorial primary and has a chance to become the nation’s first black woman governor. She’ll face the winner of a Republican primary runoff featuring Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. (Cagle finished first yesterday with 39% of the vote, but needed 50% to secure the nomination.)
* In a bit of a surprise, voters in Kentucky’s 6th congressional district ignored the Democratic establishment and backed former fighter pilot Amy McGrath over Lexington Mayor Jim Gray in a closely watched primary. She’ll face incumbent Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) in the fall.
* In Texas’ Democratic gubernatorial primary, Lupe Valdez, a gay Latina former Dallas County sheriff, made history on multiple fronts and won her competitive runoff race. She’ll face incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in November.
* In related news, in the Democratic primary in Texas’ 7th congressional district, Lizzie Pannill Fletcher easily defeated her more progressive rival, Laura Moser, and will take on incumbent Rep. John Culberson (R) in the fall. This is widely seen as a key pick-up opportunity for Democrats, with Hillary Clinton having carried this district in 2016.
* And speaking of the Lone Star State, Vice President Mike Pence personally intervened in support of Bunni Pounds’ (R) candidacy ahead of her Republican primary runoff in Texas’ 5th congressional district — but she lost anyway to former state Rep. Lance Gooden. * In Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) dispatched his primary rival, right-wing gun-range owner Jan Morgan, 70% to 30%. He’ll face Jared Henderson (D) in the general election. * On a related note, in the Democratic primary in Arkansas’ 2nd congressional district, state Rep. Clarke Tucker enjoyed the DCCC’s backing and easily won his four-way contest. He’ll face Rep. French Hill (R) in November. * And as Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens faces the prospect of possible impeachment, the Republican governor has launched a $185,000 ad buy in the hopes of making himself more popular with state residents.
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
