Former President Donald Trump's name will be on the ballot for the first time since his felony conviction as a handful of states hold the final Republican presidential primary contests of 2024. Trump will be on the ballot in Republican contests in Montana, New Jersey, and New Mexico, while President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will compete in primaries in the same states, along with Washington, D.C., and South Dakota.
Republicans in D.C. held a party-run primary in March, while South Dakota canceled its GOP presidential primary due to Trump being uncontested. Voters in these states will also cast ballots in primary races for federal, state, and local offices.
Both Trump and Biden are expected to easily win these contests, but the results could indicate voter concerns about their choices as the November election approaches. If Trump's victory margins are narrower than anticipated, it may suggest hesitations among voters about nominating a candidate with a felony criminal record.
Trump's dominance in the primary has been accompanied by ongoing support from a minority of GOP voters for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who withdrew in March. Tuesday's contests will be the first since Haley announced her intention to vote for Trump in November, potentially indicating whether her supporters will follow suit.
Biden has faced protest votes in recent contests from Democratic voters dissatisfied with his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Organized campaigns in several states are urging voters to select “uncommitted” in the Democratic contests. In New Jersey, the ballot will feature “uncommitted” above the phrase, “Justice For Palestine, Permanent Ceasefire Now!”
Following Tuesday's primaries, Democrats have two additional caucuses on June 8 for Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands to conclude their 2024 primary calendar. Apart from the presidential contests, states are conducting primary elections for federal and local races, with the Republican Senate race in Montana being closely watched.
Retired Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy, endorsed by Trump and national Republican leaders, is competing against two other candidates in the race. The winner will challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in a pivotal race that could determine control of the chamber.
In New Jersey, Democrats will select a candidate to replace Sen. Bob Menendez, who is facing federal corruption charges. Rep. Andy Kim is considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, while several Republicans are vying for the nomination.
In New Mexico, Republicans Louie Sanchez and Steve Jones will compete in the 1st District primary to challenge incumbent Melanie Stansbury in a Democratic-leaning district based in Albuquerque. Voters in D.C. will decide a primary for the city’s nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House, and in Iowa, voters will choose nominees in primary elections for local races and U.S. House seats.
The primary in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District will be crucial in determining control of the House, with Democrats selecting a nominee to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn.
