Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell has secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida, setting up a likely matchup against incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Scott. Mucarsel-Powell, who is the first Ecuadorian American to serve in Congress, previously held a House seat representing the Florida Keys. She is endorsed by President Biden, who has referred to her as Florida’s ‘next U.S. senator.’
New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was convicted on all counts of corruption charges in July 2024. He will resign on August 20th, leaving his seat vacant until the election in November. Governor Phil Murphy has appointed George Helmy, his former chief of staff, to fill the seat until the end of the current term.
Royce White, a former NBA player and self-described ‘MAGA extremist,’ has won the Republican primary in Minnesota, setting up a challenging race against incumbent Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in the fall. Despite facing a well-funded opponent and a state that has trended blue in recent years, White’s victory is seen as a rebuke to the Minnesota GOP establishment.
Matthew Corey, a military veteran and bar owner, has won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democratic Senator Chris Murphy. Corey will face an uphill battle in the general election, as Connecticut has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1982. Despite his victory, Corey has a significantly smaller war chest than Murphy, who is seeking a third term and has amassed nearly $13 million in individual contributions. Murphy is the clear favorite to win re-election, but the race will be closely watched as Democrats seek to maintain their razor-thin Senate majority.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., has secured her fourth term in the U.S. Senate after winning the Democratic primary election. The veteran senator, who previously ran for president in 2020, faces a favorable general election environment in Minnesota, a state that has leaned Democratic in recent years.
Former Hawaii state lawmaker Bob McDermott, a Marine Corps veteran, has secured the Republican nomination for the Senate seat currently held by Democratic incumbent Mazie Hirono. McDermott, who won his House seat by a narrow margin, will face a challenging race against Hirono, who enjoys a strong lead and significant financial advantage.
Republican Senator John Thune, the Senate minority whip, says this year’s election is a crucial opportunity for the GOP to win back the Senate majority. He highlights the importance of targeting voters, turning out the vote, and capitalizing on the differences between the two parties. Thune also emphasizes the importance of focusing on key issues like the border and inflation, while avoiding distractions from the presidential race.
Arizona’s primary elections on Tuesday will determine the candidates vying for key congressional and Senate seats, potentially impacting the balance of power in Washington. The race for the Senate seat vacated by Kyrsten Sinema is particularly heated, with Kari Lake, a prominent MAGA figure, leading the Republican field. Meanwhile, Democrats are looking to unseat two vulnerable Republican incumbents in the House, while the GOP aims to regain the Senate majority.
Former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, will hold their first rally since the Republican National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers believes the event will energize voters and boost the GOP’s chances of winning back the Senate majority. The rally also comes as Michigan is a key battleground state in the 2024 presidential election.
Senator Josh Hawley has raised serious concerns about security lapses at a recent Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania, citing whistleblowers who allege that the majority of security personnel were not Secret Service agents. Hawley also criticized the Secret Service’s briefing to the Senate, describing it as inadequate and lacking in detail.
