Missouri, Michigan, Washington and Kansas primaries 2024: Cori Bush loses

The fields are set for Michigan's Senate and Missouri's governor contests.

By538 Staff via five thirty eight logo
Last Updated: August 6, 2024, 6:01 PM EDT

Three months out from the big November election, around a third of all states had yet to hold (non-presidential) primaries. On Tuesday, Democrats and Republicans in Missouri, Michigan, Washington and Kansas went to the polls to pick which candidates will appear on their ballots in the fall.

The electoral fate of a couple endangered House incumbents hung in the balance on this packed primary day. In Missouri, a progressive "Squad" member was defeated by centrist forces, and in Washington, one of only two remaining House Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald Trump was challenged by not one but two Trump-endorsed opponents from his right.

Meanwhile, both parties locked in their nominees for Michigan’s critical Senate race, and the outcomes of Republican primary contests are likely to determine Missouri’s next governor and attorney general. In battleground House districts, the fields were set for competitive fall contests, while in safe red and blue districts, ideological lines were drawn as candidates duke it out in primaries tantamount to election.

As usual, 538 reporters and contributors broke down the election results as they came in with live updates, analysis and commentary. Check out our full live blog below!

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Aug 06, 2024, 11:31 PM EDT

There will be a rematch in Washington’s 3rd District in November

The AP is projecting that Republican Joe Kent and incumbent Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez will be the top two finishers in Washington’s 3rd District primary, meaning the pair will advance to the general election. In 2022, Gluesenkamp Perez defeated Kent in what was seen as a major upset in this Republican-leaning district. With this projection, we will get to see if she can do it again.

Republican candidate Joe Kent waits before taking the stage for a candidates debate Sept. 27, 2022, in Vancouver, Wash.
Rachel La Corte/AP

—Meredith Conroy, 538 contributor

Aug 06, 2024, 11:27 PM EDT

Race to derail Trump impeacher Newhouse is close

Republican Jerrold Sessler, a former NASCAR driver, is out to an early lead over Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse in the top-two primary in Washington's 4th District. With almost half of the expected vote reporting, based on the AP's tally, Sessler has 30 percent to Newhouse's 25 percent. If those results hold, both Republicans would advance to the general election. Sessler earned Trump's initial endorsement, but Trump came in just before the primary and also endorsed veterans advocate and 2022 Senate nominee Tiffany Smiley, the third major Republican in this race. Smiley is at 20 percent, within shouting distance in third place.

Trump would take either Sessler or Smiley over Newhouse, who is one of two Republicans still in the House who voted for his impeachment after Jan. 6. The three Democratic candidates have split the vote enough that an all-Republican general election looks like a real possibility.

—Geoffrey Skelley, 538

Aug 06, 2024, 11:20 PM EDT

Kehoe wins the GOP primary for Missouri governor

The Republican primary for Missouri governor is up to 94 percent of the expected vote reporting, and the AP is finally comfortable projecting a winner: Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who currently has 39 percent of the vote. Hardline state Sen. Bill Eigel finished second with 33 percent, while Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft embarrassingly finished third with 23 percent despite being the polling leader virtually all year long.

Mike Kehoe the Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, speaks with the crowd at Norwood Hills Country Club, Sept. 10, 2023, in St. Louis.
Jeff Curry/Getty Images, FILE

Given Missouri's red hue, Kehoe is quite likely to be the state's next governor if he, as expected, defeats the Democratic nominee, state House Minority Leader Crystal Quade. The mild-mannered Kehoe represents continuity in the governor's office; he was endorsed by outgoing Gov. Mike Parson.

—Nathaniel Rakich, 538

Aug 06, 2024, 11:14 PM EDT

EMILYs List is having a good night

In today's races, EMILYs List is backing two nonincumbent women: Elissa Slotkin in Michigan's Senate race and Kristen McDonald Rivet in Michigan's 8th District. The AP projected that Slotkin will win her primary, while in the 8th, with 17 percent of the estimated vote counted, McDonald Rivet is leading with 63 percent. As of May 21, 77 percent of nonincumbent candidates endorsed by EMILYs List have won their primaries, so tonight could add to that win rate.

—Meredith Conroy, 538 contributor