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Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12

Takeaways from primaries featuring Spencer Pratt, a missing congressman and a rare Trump setback

Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek leaves the stage after speaking during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Bryon Houlgrave)
Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek leaves the stage after speaking during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Bryon Houlgrave) Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek leaves the stage after speaking during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Bryon Houlgrave)

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.

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.