The implications of this race, along with critical contests in Michigan, Missouri, Kansas and Washington state, will give a temperature of voters across the country that hasn't occurred since the last major multi-state primary in June. If Balderson wins the final vote, Democrats will point to the margin to show gains. His support for John James in Michigan and Kris Kobach in Kansas could help bring them over the line in their primaries tonight. But will Trump's backing be enough to take Balderson over the finish line despite Democratic enthusiasm for O'Connor? Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is barnstorming for progressives across the country after her unexpected primary victory over House Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley in New York. "They do everything right and, right now in Washington, D.C., no one has their back," he said. ET): Kris Kobach, the conservative secretary of state who served on the President's voter integrity commission, has been tight in the polls in the Kris Kobach, the conservative secretary of state who served on the President's voter integrity commission, has been tight in the polls in the race for governor , but Trump's last-minute support of him on Monday could shake up the race. Jeff Colyer is competing for a full term after the appointment of unpopular Gov. The five-way Democratic primary features labor lawyer Brent Welder, who campaigned recently with self-described democratic socialists Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and ascending political star, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York congressional candidate. Republicans are hoping for Democratic discord in Kansas' 3rd Congressional District, a suburban Kansas City region where several candidates are fighting for the chance to take on Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder in November. He called the race "very close." The races, like dozens before them, pit the strength of the Republican president's fiery coalition against the Democratic Party's anti-Trump resistance. Should the polarizing Kobach win, some Republican operatives fear he could lose the governor's seat to Democrats this fall. State Attorney General Josh Hawley is widely expected to win the Republican primary, setting him up to take on two-term Sen. Claire McCaskill. McCaskill has won by facing deeply flawed candidates in her previous elections, but Republicans are hoping this time that Hawley can avoid past mistakes. The retirement of GOP Rep. David Reichert in the 8th District has given them hope in the Seattle suburbs and beyond for another seat in the House.
– Voters in five states go to the polls on Tuesday, and analysts will again be looking for clues on what the results might mean for the November midterms. Some highlights: Kansas: The GOP primary for the governor's seat might be the highest-profile contest of the night because of President Trump. On Monday, Trump backed conservative Secretary of State Kris Kobach over the sitting Republican incumbent, Jeff Colyer, notes the AP. One fear for Republicans is that if Kobach wins, he'd be vulnerable to Democrats in November. Ohio: This is a special election, not a primary, to fill the seat of retired GOP Rep. Pat Tiberi. The seat has long been held by Republicans, but Democrat Danny O'Connor is in a surprisingly close race against the GOP's Troy Balderson. A GOP loss would be a "psychological blow" to the party, per CNN, but no matter what happens, the two candidates will be squaring off again in November. Trump tweeted on behalf of Balderson on Tuesday. Michigan: An open governor's seat is at stake, and if Abdul El-Sayed wins the Democratic primary and again in November, he would become the nation's first Muslim governor. Bernie Sanders is a big supporter, notes CNN. Elsewhere, Fayrouz Saad is one of the Democrats vying for the seat of retiring Rep. Dave Trott, and she has the chance to become the first Muslim woman in Congress, per the AP. Missouri: The Senate race here is getting big attention, because it's seen as one of the GOP's best chances to unseat a Democratic incumbent, in this case Claire McCaskill. State Attorney General Josh Hawley is expected to win the GOP nomination Tuesday night. Washington state: Various congressional primaries are on the ballot, and one interesting facet is that Washington uses what the AP calls a "jungle primary" system in which all candidates regardless of party are listed on the same ballot. The top two advance. One big race is for the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Dave Reichert near Seattle.