US primaries: 3 key takeaways from New Hampshire, Rhode Island elections

New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Delaware were part of the final leg of United States’ primary elections season this year. The elections featured some competitive Congressional and gubernatorial races.

Two crucial Republican races still remain undecided in New Hampshire. Donald Bolduc and Chuck Morse— who are competing for the Senate seat– have been stuck in a close race. Bolduc received 37% of the votes, while Morse secured 36%.

Donald Trump’s influence is still strong

Karoline Leavitt, who worked in Trump’s White House’s press office, topped some more experienced Republicans with ties to the former president and will square off against Democratic Representative Chris Pappas in another November contest that could be close.  

Leavitt, 25, said she was “sending a strong and clear message to the Washington DC, establishment, and our Democratic opponent that our votes cannot be bought, our conservative voices can not be silenced.”

Daniel McKee holds onto the Governor’s office

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee eked out a victory in his Democratic primary on Tuesday, beating back strong challenges from a pair of opponents as he seeks his first full term in office.

McKee, the former lieutenant governor who became the state’s chief executive a year and a half ago when two-term Governor Gina Raimondo was tapped as US commerce secretary, will be the heavy favorite in the liberal state in November against Republican Ashley Kalus, a business owner and political novice.

Rhode Island sets competitive midterms 

State Treasurer Seth Magaziner, who was endorsed by Langevin, won the crowded Democratic primary. Republican Allan Fung, the former mayor of Cranston, was unopposed in his bid for the Republican nomination.

National Republican leaders think this is their best chance to flip the seat in more than three decades. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy visited Rhode Island in August to raise money for Fung.

Magaziner had been running for governor but switched races after Langevin’s announcement to try to keep the seat in Democratic control. Magaziner told supporters Tuesday night that the election is about values and preserving democracy for the next generation.