A number of high-profile main races Tuesday examined how a lot President Donald Trump’s endorsement can do for a scandal-marred candidate, confirmed the impression of Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting and highlighted the continued battle between established Democratic candidates and progressive challengers.
Listed below are takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries:
Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., holds a telephone to his ear as he walks to a vote on the U.S. Capitol on April 15, 2026.
Francis Chung/Politico/AP
Trump endorsement cannot carry Mills
Embattled and scandal-ridden Republican Rep. Cory Mills misplaced his reelection bid in Florida Tuesday, defeated by challenger Ryan Elijah, a former TV information anchor and NFL sideline reporter.
Mills faces a Home Ethics Committee investigation; a choose issued a restraining order towards him final 12 months after he was accused by his former girlfriend of threatening to distribute sexually specific movies of her; and in July, ABC Information reported that the embattled congressman was additionally below investigation by the Division of Justice, partly about his funds. Mills has denied the allegations.
Mills’ loss means that Republicans have limits relating to how lengthy they’ll stand behind a candidate carrying an excessive amount of baggage. Regardless of the scandals which have adopted him, Mills nonetheless retained Trump’s endorsement.
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds waves subsequent to his spouse Erika whereas standing on stage with their kids Darin, left, Damon, second from left, and Mason throughout a main election occasion, Aug. 18, 2026, in Orlando.
John Raoux/AP Picture
Placing apart variations earlier than November
Republican Rep. Byron Donalds unsurprisingly secured his occasion’s nomination within the gubernatorial race in Florida. Donalds’ marketing campaign has acquired immense assist amongst Republicans and Trump’s endorsement.
Donalds now faces the duty of uniting his occasion after what was a bruising main. Donalds mentioned he acquired congratulatory calls from his rivals, Paul Renner and James Fishback. In his victory speech, Donalds known as for Florida Republicans to return collectively.
“However tonight the first is over. Tonight we put apart our variations. Tonight we’re one united Republican Get together,” Donalds mentioned.
Democratic Congressional candidate Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz speaks with voter Camille Edwards as she campaigns exterior of the Kings Level Clubhouse polling station, August 18, 2026, in Tamarac, Florida.
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Wasserman Schultz guarantees illustration issues
Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz received her main in Florida’s traditionally Black twentieth Congressional District that was redrawn this 12 months by the Republican-controlled legislature.
Her determination to run within the district drew criticism from her 4 Black opponents and different Black Democrats who’ve already been impacted by Republican redistricting efforts in southern states.
In her victory speech, Wasserman Schultz referenced redistricting Republicans hope will enhance their possibilities of retaining the Home in November. She promised the redrawn majority-minority district that growing illustration is amongst her high priorities.
“That is such a tough and fraught time in our nation. There’s a lot at stake on this second, and I need individuals to know that illustration issues. It issues, and I’ll battle to guarantee that illustration counts once more,” she mentioned Tuesday night.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., speaks throughout a Home Judiciary Committee listening to on Capitol Hill on Sept. 17, 2025.
Francis Chung/Politico/AP
Moskowitz fends off problem from DSA candidate
Within the Democratic main for Florida’s twenty fifth District, two-term incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who was additionally working in a redrawn district, fended off a problem from Democratic Socialists of America candidate Oliver Larkin.
The race highlighted how assist for Israel is changing into outstanding problem on this 12 months’s election as extra Democrats have turn out to be much less supportive. Moskowitz has been a staunch supporter of Israel whereas Larkin has known as for the U.S. to chop off support.
The race was a continuation of established Democratic candidates going through challenges from progressives, as seen within the Senate race in Michigan.
Moskowitz now faces a aggressive basic election in November, as his seat is one Republicans see as a high pickup alternative.
