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Primaries recap: Giuliani loses GOP NY gov race; Trump supporter loses in CO secretary of state

Primary voters dealt defeats Tuesday to heavily publicized political names, including Rudy Giuliani's son in New York and a pro-Donald Trump election conspiracy theorist in Colorado.

Tina Peters, a Colorado election official under indictment over efforts to bolster Trump's claims of voter fraud, headed for a third place finish in a Republican primary for Secretary of State.

In New York, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., won the GOP gubernatorial primary over Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York Mayor and Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani. Zeldin now faces a fall race against Gov. Kathy Hochul, who easily won the Democratic primary.

The states of Illinois, Oklahoma, and Utah also held primaries. In Illinois, two members of the U.S. House lost primaries to other incumbents who had been placed in the same newly drawn congressional districts.

Among the results:

Roundup: Races to watch in Tuesday's primaries: NY governor, Illinois U.S. House, Colorado secretary of state

Nebraska GOP state Sen. Flood wins ex-congressman’s seat

OMAHA, Neb. — Nebraska state Sen. Mike Flood won a special election Tuesday to replace former U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a fellow Republican who was sentenced to two years of probation earlier in the day for a conviction on charges that he lied to federal agents.

Flood beat Democratic state Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks in the state’s Republican-leaning 1st District, which includes Lincoln and dozens of smaller, mostly conservative towns in eastern Nebraska.

Flood, a former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, will serve the rest of what would have been Fortenberry’s ninth term. He’ll be a strong favorite to win a new term in November, when he faces Pansing Brooks again in the general election.

-- Associated Press

Earlier Tuesday: Former Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry avoids prison time after lying to feds in campaign finance inquiry

Andrew Giuliani loses GOP nomination for NY governor to Lee Zeldin

A big name in New York politics fell to defeat on Tuesday.

Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, lost the state's gubernatorial primary to U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y.

Zeldin had questioned Giuliani's lack of experience – he is only 36 years, and was running in his first political race – and his commitment to conservatism.

The congressman and former state legislator now takes on incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the fall election.

Hochul will be favored in this heavily Democratic state.

During the Republican primary, Giuliani and Zeldin also argued about who was the most loyal to President Donald Trump.

A White House official during the Trump years, the younger Giuliani has been semi-famous his entire life.

Back in early 1994, as a 7-year-old, Andrew Giuliani drew national attention for waving, blowing kisses, and generally mugging for the camera as his father delivered his inaugural address as mayor.

- David Jackson

Andrew Giuliani, left, helps pour champagne on his father New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in the Yankees clubhouse after Game 6 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium in New York, Oct. 26, 1996. The Yankees won Game 6 3-2 to clinch the World Series.
Andrew Giuliani, left, helps pour champagne on his father New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in the Yankees clubhouse after Game 6 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium in New York, Oct. 26, 1996. The Yankees won Game 6 3-2 to clinch the World Series.

Pro-Trump election denier loses GOP nomination for Colorado Secretary of State

An indicted Donald Trump supporter who believes in voter fraud conspiracies has lost the Republican nomination for Colorado secretary of state, a position that would have enabled her to officiate elections.

Tina Peters, a suspended Mesa County clerk and recorder, lost to Pam Anderson, a former Jefferson County clerk and recorder who supported mail-in balloting and argued that Trump's protests are eroding the public's faith in elections.

Both the New York Times and NBC called the race for Anderson.

Anderson had accused Peters of spreading disinformation.

Peters is under indictment over allegations of copying election machine software in an unsuccessful effort to prove Trump's false claims of election fraud in 2020. She has pleaded not guilty.

Anderson, the primary winner, now takes on incumbent Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat who has attacked "insider threats" to the security of elections.

Peters was battling for second place with Mike O’Donnell, an economist and naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Australia and now lives in Yuma County. He also questioned the outcome of the 2020 election.

Republicans who believe Trump's false claims of voter fraud are promoting a number of candidates for election administration offices nationwide, particularly secretary of state jobs.

- David Jackson

Controversial, Trump-backed candidate Mary Miller defeats fellow incumbent Rodney Davis

Rep. Mary Miller, a controversial candidate backed by former President Donald Trump, won her Republican primary bid against fellow conservative Rep. Rodney Davis.

The Illinois Republicans faced off after Davis’ purple district was gerrymandered into a solidly red one.

Miller, a first-term lawmaker, attracted national media attention in recent days when she cheered the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe vs. Wade as a “victory for white life.” Her team quickly responded and said she meant to say “right to life.”

Mary Miller calls overturning of Roe v Wade 'victory for white life'
Mary Miller calls overturning of Roe v Wade 'victory for white life'

In 2021, she drew criticism when she invoked Adolf Hitler in a speech just days after being sworn-in.

- Candy Woodall

Ezell defeats US Rep. Palazzo in Mississippi GOP primary

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sheriff Mike Ezell has defeated six-term U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo in a Republican primary runoff in Mississippi.

It’s a rare defeat of a congressional incumbent in a Mississippi party primary. The state has a history of sending elected officials to Washington for decades to build seniority.

Ezell criticized Palazzo after a 2021 report by the Office of Congressional Ethics found “substantial reason to believe” Palazzo had abused his office by misspending campaign funds. A Palazzo spokesperson said the investigation was based on “false allegations” made by an opponent in the 2020 primary.

Ezell is a sheriff in one of Mississippi’s coastal counties, and he started campaigning for the 4th District seat more than a year ago. He called Palazzo a no-show for skipping debates before the seven-person Republican primary in early June.

Palazzo is a military veteran who unseated a Democratic congressman in 2010.

In November, Ezell will face Democrat Johnny L. DuPree and Libertarian candidate Alden Patrick Johnson.

- Associated Press

Casten defeats Newman in Illinois

A Democratic primary race – a rare contest between two incumbents – that has been fraught with drama and heartbreak has been decided in Illinois.

Rep. Sean Casten defeated Rep. Marie Newman, who has been the subject of an ethics investigation.

Redistricting had forced the two incumbent Democrats to run against each other, though the winner has stayed on the sidelines in recent weeks.

Casten stopped campaigning earlier this month when his 17-year-old daughter Gwen died.

- Candy Woodall

Lee wins GOP Senate primary in Utah

Sen. Mike Lee easily won the Republican primary Tuesday night, despite challenges from Becky Edwards and Ally Isom who criticized him for his support of former President Donald Trump.

The incumbent senator will face independent Evan McMullin in the fall.

McMullin has been convincing outnumbered Utah Democrats to back his campaign and unseat Lee.

- Candy Woodall

Republican runoff in Oklahoma's special U.S. Senate race

There will be an Aug. 23 runoff for the Republican nomination to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe.

U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., had a big lead in the primary, but fell short of the 50% mark needed to win the nomination outright against a crowded primary field.

Mullin must now run against the second place finisher, former state House Speaker T.W. Shannon.

This was the night's second Republican Senate primary in Oklahoma. Incumbent U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., easily won the other one.

- David Jackson

Polls close in Utah

Voting ended in Utah at 10 p.m. Tuesday in the state’s primary, where one of the key races is Republican Sen. Mike Lee’s re-election campaign.

He is being challenged by GOP candidates Becky Edwards and Ally Isom, who haven’t gained much traction in the state, according to polls.

Lee is favored to win and would face independent Evan McMullin in the fall.

- Candy Woodall

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert wins GOP re-nomination in Colorado

Ultra-conservative U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., easily won her congressional primary in the Rocky Mountain state, despite intense attacks by outside political groups.

Boebert has been particularly outspoken in her support of gun rights, her criticism of the Jan. 6 investigating commission, and her condemnation of President Joe Biden.

Rep. Lauren Boebert listens as President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address.
Rep. Lauren Boebert listens as President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address.

During a religious service this past weekend, Boebert said: “I’m tired of this separation of church and state junk that’s not in the Constitution."

Boebert defeated moderate Republican state legislator Don Coram, who attacked her for failing to pass any kind of specific legislation and refusing to work with Democrats.

- David Jackson

Kathy Hochul wins re-nomination as New York governor

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has easily won re-nomination in her primary against two under-funded opponents, NBC News and ABC News projected.

Hochul, a former lieutenant governor who ascended when Andrew Cuomo resigned, defeated New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi.

She now faces the winner of a Republican primary that includes U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin and Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and

- David Jackson

Flood of candidates to replace Rep. Rush

More than 20 candidates are vying for the chance to replace 15-term Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush, the only lawmaker who has ever beaten Barack Obama in a race. Obama challenged Rush in a 2000 U.S. House primary and lost.

The heavily Democratic 1st Congressional District was redrawn after the 2020 census and now stretches from Chicago’s South Side to Kankakee.

Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., speaks during a news conference about the "Emmett Till Antilynching Act" which would designate lynching as a hate crime under federal law, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Emmett Till, pictured at right, was a 14-year-old African-American who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955, after being accused of offending a white woman in her family's grocery store. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Among the field running to replace Rush is Jonathan Jackson, the son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson; Karin Norington-Reaves, a federal workforce trainer endorsed by Rush; Pat Dowell, a member of the Chicago City Council whose ward is in the district; and businessman Jonathan Swain.

- Associated Press

Polls closed in Colorado, New York

Polls have closed in Colorado and New York, where several candidates are competing in high-profile primary races Tuesday.

In Colorado, multiple candidates are running for office who have pushed conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. Tina Peters is a Trump-backed election denier who is seeking the GOP nomination for secretary of state, a position that would enable her to officiate elections.

In New York, the Republicans competing to face Gov. Kathy Hochul in November are in a close race. Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is squaring off against Lee Zeldin, who is considered an establishment Republican.

- Candy Woodall

Pritzker rolls over challenger in Illinois gubernatorial primary

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker easily defeated activist Beverly Miles, a Chicago nurse and military veteran, in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

For much of the race the billionaire incumbent spent his attention on the Republican primary, where he and the Democratic Governor’s Association have spent millions attacking Aurora Mayor Richard Irving.

Pritzker has cast the November election as a fight against right-wing extremism, saying he is a “pro-choice, pro-voting rights, pro-civil rights” Democrat.

- Phillip M. Bailey

Stitt wins easily in Oklahoma gubernatorial primary

One of former President Donald Trump’s favorite governors cruised to victory in one of the many Republican primary races on Tuesday.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt was the projected winner in the race for the GOP nomination in his bid to seek reelection.

Since being elevated to the governor's office in 2018, Stitt has been on the frontlines of many conservative causes. He has signed measures into law that allow residents to carry a firearm without a permit, restarted capitol punishment and banned all abortions beginning at fertilization.

In March, Trump, who endorsed Stitt in 2018, citing the incumbent governor as a "fearless defender" of gun rights.

- Phillip M. Bailey

Who's running in the NY GOP gubernatorial primary?

The GOP gubernatorial contest for the right to challenge likely Democratic nominee – and incumbent governor – Kathy Hochul is coming down to two candidates.

GOP Congressman Lee Zeldin of Long Island leads the pack, with Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City mayor and Republican politician Rudy Giuliani, his most well-known challenger.

Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is making his first run for office, trying to become governor of New York.
Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is making his first run for office, trying to become governor of New York.

Former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and businessman Harry Wilson round out the Republican primary slate.

- Sarah Taddeo, New York State Team

Billionaires battle in Illinois GOP gubernatorial primary

Whoever wins in the Republican primary for Illinois governor, a feature of the contest has been how three billionaires – including Democratic incumbent J.B. Pritzker – are spending big bucks to influence the outcome.

Pritzker, joined by national Democrats, poured roughly $35 million in attack ads against Republican Richard Irvin, the mayor of Aurora, signaling they would prefer to face his GOP rival, state Rep. Darren Bailey, in the fall.

Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois, speaks  to the media outside of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, July 14, 2021, after meeting with US President Joe Biden about the administration's infrastructure plan.
Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois, speaks to the media outside of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, July 14, 2021, after meeting with US President Joe Biden about the administration's infrastructure plan.

Irvin, meanwhile, was helped by a $50 million contribution from billionaire hedge-fund manager Kenneth Griffin.

Not to be left out, Bailey had support from a billionaire too. He was helped by a $9 million donation by Richard Uihlein, a shipping company owner, to a political action committee attacking Irvin.

- Phillip M. Bailey

OK Sen. James Lankford wins one of two GOP Senate primaries in Sooner State

As expected, incumbent James Lankford of Oklahoma easily won re-nomination in one of his state's two Republican primaries for the U.S. Senate.

Lankford turned back Tulsa pastor Jackson Lahmeyer, who had attacked the senator for refusing to endorse Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud.

Most political professionals are paying attention to Oklahoma's other primary, a special election to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe.

More than a dozen candidates are involved in that contest. There will be a runoff if none of the candidates win more than 50% in tonight's primary.

- David Jackson

Who is New York Gov. Kathy Hochul?

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul will aim to hold onto the role she took in August, when she replaced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo after he resigned following a swirl of sexual harassment allegations.

Hochul has painted herself as a steady, experienced hand in government, pointing to her ability to understand what everyday New Yorkers want and need, and vowing to bring transparency to Albany. In recent weeks, she championed her actions in the last days of the state Legislature’s session to pass stricter gun laws in the wake of a racially motivated shooting that left 10 Black people dead in a Buffalo grocery store.

Her primary challengers include Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi, a vocal centrist who has accused Hochul of being corrupt and soft on crime; and Jumaane Williams, New York City’s Public Advocate who has carried the torch for the party’s progressive wing and championed tenant and housing rights, education and mental health support.

- Sarah Taddeo, New York State Team

Polls closed in Illinois, Oklahoma

Voting has ended in the primary battles for public office in Illinois and Oklahoma on Tuesday.

In Oklahoma, Republican Kevin Stitt, who was a political outsider when he won the governorship in 2018, is expected to cruise to victory. Stitt has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and has been an ardent crime-and-punishment conservative. He backs permitless carry of firearms and reinstating the death penalty.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a Texas-style abortion ban on Tuesday that prohibits abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a Texas-style abortion ban on Tuesday that prohibits abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Illinois' main event is the GOP gubernatorial primary, where the winner will face Democratic incumbent J.B. Pritzker.

Darren Bailey, a state lawmaker who has resisted COVID-19 restrictions, is facing Richard Irving, a former prosecutor who was previously elected as the first Black mayor of Chicago’s largest suburb.

- Phillip M. Bailey

Colorado's Boebert on the ballot

In Colorado, Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, one of the most polarizing members of Congress, is trying to beat back a challenge from a more mainstream Republican in her primary Tuesday.

Boebert, a first-term firebrand, saw her GOP-leaning 3rd Congressional District in western Colorado become even more Republican after redistricting. She faces moderate state Rep. Don Coram, a rancher and hemp farmer, who slams what he calls Boebert’s extremism.

Coram argues that the incumbent’s fealty to Trump has meant neglect of her sprawling territory’s all-important agriculture issues as she seeks social and conservative media celebrity. Boebert has railed against the “Biden regime” and “socialist” Democrats. She also trumpets her gun-toting Second Amendment credentials and opposition to COVID-19 restrictions that briefly shuttered her “Shooters” restaurant.

Boebert criticizes Coram for working with legislative Democrats. Her opponent is betting voters alienated by Boebert’s provocations will choose someone more in the tradition of centrists that have played well in the area, including five-term Republican Rep. Scott Tipton, who lost to Boebert in an upset last cycle.

-- Associated Press

GOP Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia scream "Build the Wall" at President Joe Biden on March 1, 2022, in the House chamber in Washington.
GOP Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia scream "Build the Wall" at President Joe Biden on March 1, 2022, in the House chamber in Washington.

Utah's GOP congressional delegation faces 2022 primary challengers

In Utah, the night’s headline race is for the U.S. Senate, with Republican Mike Lee trying to fend off two challengers in his bid for a third term.

Much like that race, several Republican primaries for U.S. House seats pit Trump-aligned populists against Republicans disillusioned with the direction he's taken the party who've lightly criticized him.

In Utah's four congressional races, first-term Congressman Blake Moore is facing two challengers and Chris Stewart, John Curtis and Burgess Owens each face one. At the state GOP's April convention, party delegates, known for leaning further right than the party's overall electorate, backed Moore and Curtis' opponents, forcing the two to gather signatures to quality for the primary ballot.

The Republican primary winners will be favorites in the general elections in an overwhelmingly red state where none of the state’s congressional districts post-redistricting were rated as battlegrounds.

-- Associated Press

Read the whole story here: Utah's GOP congressional delegation faces 2022 primary challengers. Here's a breakdown

Tonight's primaries come in the shadow of Roe vs. Wade and Jan. 6 testimony

Tonight's primaries in New York, Illinois, Colorado, Utah and Oklahoma take place in the wake of momentous events that will affect politics for years to come.

Voters headed to the polls the same day that former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson gave chilling testimony about former President Donald Trump and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. She said Trump knew that his supporters could get violent after they marched to the Capitol to protest his election loss to President Joe Biden.

Miss Day 6 of the Jan. 6 hearing?: Trump knew mob was armed and dangerous, bombshell witness says

After Trump attacked Vice President Mike Pence for refusing to help him overturn the election, Hutchinson told the Jan. 6 congressional investigating committee: "As an American, I was disgusted. It was un-patriotic. It was un-American. We were watching the Capitol defaced based on a lie."

Investigations into Trump's actions on Jan. 6 could affect elections in the fall and beyond.

This is also the first primary day since the Supreme Court's decision Friday to strike down the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, basically allowing states to ban abortions and making the issue a prime political topic.

Democrats have vowed to make re-establishing abortion rights a major issue in future elections.

– David Jackson

Former Congressman Fortenberry gets two years of probation as Nebraskans vote to replace him

Nebraskans in the 1st District headed to the polls for a special election to replace a vacancy left open by long-time Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, who resigned in March following conviction in an investigation that he lied to the FBI over an illegal, foreign donation.

More: Former Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry avoids prison time after lying to feds in campaign finance inquiry

In the Republican-leaning 1st Congressional District race to replace Fortenberry, Republican State Sen. Mike Flood is expected to win Tuesday’s special election over Democrat State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks. Regardless of who wins Tuesday, both candidates also will face each other in November’s general election for a full term starting in January.

Flood is the former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature and has been endorsed by Ricketts and former GOP Gov. Dave Heineman.

Fortenberry's resignation went into effect on June 1. The new representative will be in office through January 2023.

Fortenberry received a $30,000 contribution in a 2016 Los Angeles fundraiser from Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury. Fortenberry didn’t disclose the contribution, and when asked in two separate interviews about the contribution, said he had no knowledge.

A Los Angeles federal judge sentenced him on Tuesday morning to two years probation, 320 hours community service and a fine of $25,000, but he faced a maximum fifteen years in prison.

-- Katherine Swartz 

Mike Flood, the Republican nominee for the 1st District congressional district, addresses a room of supporters during a campaign event at the NEGOP office on Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb.
Mike Flood, the Republican nominee for the 1st District congressional district, addresses a room of supporters during a campaign event at the NEGOP office on Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb.

Indicted Colorado secretary of state candidate pushes false election fraud claims

Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters continues to outraise her opponents in Colorado’s GOP secretary of state primary despite being indicted on seven felony charges related to election fraud, called on by her own party to suspend her campaign and barred by a judge from overseeing her county’s elections this year.

Peters’ main opponent in Tuesday's primary is moderate Republican Pam Anderson, a longtime election official and former Jefferson County clerk who rejects former President Donald Trump's false claims of a stolen election that Peters embraces. Anderson has raised nearly $107,000 since October, compared with $166,000 Peters raised since entering the race in February, according to financial disclosure reports from May 31.

This primary represents the latest chapter of a new fracturing within the GOP, a party torn between adherence to Trump-perpetuated claims of widespread voter fraud and those who reject those baseless claims. What's left is a tug-of-war between  pro-Trump, far-right loyalists candidates  and more traditional Republicans for GOP nominations in the primaries.

-- Allison Novelo, Julia Mueller and Zoya Mirza, Medill News Service

Read the whole story here: Indicted and rebuked, Colorado secretary of state candidate pushes Trump's false election fraud claims

Trump's influence is being tested again in Illinois' Republican primary

Five-term incumbent Rep. Rodney Davis is facing off against freshman Rep. Mary Miller in a race that has pitted the two incumbents against each other after redistricting. Trump has endorsed Miller and held a rally last Saturday to build support for her in advance of tonight's election.

At that same rally, Miller called the overturning of Roe v. Wade a "victory for white life." Her campaign team claims she misspoke, meaning to say "right to life." Davis criticized Miller, saying in a statement, she "has demonstrated she is not fit for public office."

The race will be another test of Trump’s political sway against establishment Republicans who have held office before Trump’s rise to power.

Despite not being endorsed by Trump, Davis' campaign site says he “was proud to work with President Trump.” He served as a co-chairman of Trump’s re-election campaign.

Who is Rodney Davis: An Illinois Republican facing off against the Trump factor

In Illinois primary, two Democratic incumbents go head to head

Reps. Marie Newman and Sean Casten – both elected in 2018 – are competing for the same congressional seat in the 6th district Democratic primary.

It’s the only race in Illinois where two incumbent Democrats are running against each other, and the district is expected to be one of the closest races in the general election.

Newman represented the 3rd District, but her residence was moved into the 4th after redistricting. Instead of running in the 4th – a heavily Hispanic district represented by Democrat Jesús "Chuy" García – Newman instead decided to run in the 6th District, where 41% of her constituents now live.

Casten represents the 6th District, but only 23% of his constituents now live within its borders.

While the two are alike on most Democratic issues, Newman is more progressive and supports policies like the Green New Deal and Medicare for All. Casten has voted with Pres. Joe Biden 97% of the time.

Katherine Swartz 

Who is Marie Newman:Illinois congresswoman moved districts and now faces fellow Democratic congressman

Who is Sean Casten:Illinois congressman will go against another Democratic incumbent in redrawn district

New York starts two-part primary Tuesday

Like a Broadway musical – or an absurdist play – the state of New York is conducting primary elections in two acts this year: gubernatorial and certain state elections on Tuesday, congressional and other legislative races in late August.

Party disputes over redistricting led to the two-part primary setup that could reduce turnout, increase friction between the parties and confuse large numbers of voters, political analysts said.

"It's a total mess," said Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute at Syracuse University's Maxwell School. "It was an embarrassment to the state. ...  It doesn't serve the interests of the voters."

Voters in the know will decide some state elections Tuesday, including State Assembly races and spirited Democratic and Republican primaries for the governor's office.

-- David Jackson

Read the rest here: New York starts two-part primary Tuesday, including Gov. Kathy Hochul

When do the polls close?

Illinois and Oklahoma will close their polls at 8 p.m. ET.

An hour later, polls close in New York and Colorado at 9 p.m. ET.

Utah will close their polls last at 10 p.m. ET.

- Kenneth Tran

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Primary recap: New York, Colorado, Illinois races