Mamdani and Trump Influence Primaries in Four States

Primaries held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York, Maryland, and Utah, and Republican runoffs in South Carolina, functioned as ideological battlegrounds for both major parties. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used the elections to test his political influence by endorsing democratic socialist challengers against Democratic incumbents in three House races, framing these contests as the beginning of the race for the 2028 presidential primary.

In South Carolina, Donald Trump issued dual endorsements for gubernatorial candidates Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson to safeguard his endorsement record following previous failures. Other contests included a challenge in Utah by Trump-pardoned candidate Phil Lyman and a crowded Democratic primary in Manhattan featuring Jack Schlossberg and George Conway.

The elections were characterized by heavy financial involvement from outside interests. In New York's 12th District, AI and cryptocurrency groups spent heavily, including the AI-funded super PAC Leading the Future, which spent at least $10 million to oppose candidates supporting state-level AI regulation. Additionally, David Trone self-funded over $25 million in a challenge against incumbent April McClain Delaney in Maryland, while the American Israel Public Affairs Committee provided significant funding and endorsements for specific candidates.