Five U.S. States Hold Primaries for 2026 Midterms

Voters in five U.S. states held primary elections on August 4, 2026, to select candidates for the upcoming midterm elections. In Michigan, the Democratic Senate primary featured a sharp ideological divide between progressive Abdul El-Sayed and moderate Representative Haley Stevens. Meanwhile, Missouri saw a rematch for a House seat as former Representative Cori Bush attempted to reclaim her position from first-term Representative Wesley Bell.

In Virginia, elections took place in several high-profile congressional races following a May Supreme Court ruling that struck down a Democratic-drawn congressional map. In Hampton Roads, voters chose Democratic challengers for 2nd District Representative Jen Kiggans and 1st District Representative Rob Wittman, while Republicans selected a candidate to challenge U.S. Senator Mark Warner. Early reports from polling locations in Virginia Beach indicated a slow and steady turnout.

The election day also included a contest for the governor's mansion in Kansas and a nonpartisan primary in Washington's Third Congressional District. Additionally, voters in Missouri and Kansas decided on constitutional ballot measures concerning judicial selection and income taxes.