Election updates: Mixed results for Trump-backed candidates in GOP primaries

Dr. Oz's Pennsylvania primary was too close to project Tuesday night.

Last Updated: May 18, 2022, 10:25 AM EDT

Voters were heading to the polls Tuesday for primary elections in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky, Idaho and Oregon amid a midterm season that will test the endorsement power of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

While Trump wasn't successful across the board, at least 22 of his 25 endorsed candidates for Senate, House and governor (mostly in noncompetitive races) won Tuesday night, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Latest Developments:

Here is how the news is developing today. All times Eastern. Check back for updates.
May 17, 2022, 8:31 PM EDT

More voting trouble in Pennsylvania

After news surfaced of voting issues in Lancaster County, it became clear that Berks County is also dealing with minor issues but will be able to keep its polling places open an extra hour.

The Reading Eagle, a local news outlet, reported that polling places in Berks County were having issues with new electronic poll books, forcing a return to paper. Attorneys for both Democratic and Republican county parties successfully filed emergency petitions to keep the polls open past the regular 8 p.m. closing time.

May 17, 2022, 8:11 PM EDT

Trump-endorsed Rep. Ted Budd to face Beasley in North Carolina Senate race

ABC News has projected Rep. Ted Budd will win the North Carolina GOP Senate primary, setting him up to run against North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley, the projected Democratic nominee, in November.

There were over 10 candidates in the GOP race -- but Budd, carrying the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, came out victorious and led the pack heading into the primary after lagging in the polls and in fundraising early on. Other candidates included former Gov. Pat McCrory, who had a record of running statewide, and former Rep. Mark Walker, a Trump loyalist who stayed in the race even though he faded down the stretch.

PHOTO: Rep. Tedd Budd greets voters and local campaigners on Primary day in Belews Creek, N.C.,  May 17, 2022.
Rep. Tedd Budd greets voters and local campaigners on Primary day in Belews Creek, N.C., May 17, 2022.
Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images

Budd voted against the certification of election results after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, though he has acknowledged Joe Biden’s legitimacy as president.

Democrats are hoping to pick up the seat from retiring Republican Sen. Richard Burr -- but it's an uphill battle as the seat leans red.

North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Cheri Beasley, second from right, visits with voters outside a polling location in Troy, N.C., May 17, 2022.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images

May 17, 2022, 8:00 PM EDT

Pennsylvania polls close

Polls are now closed in Pennsylvania, which is home to one of the most competitive primaries of the night featuring celebrity Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Oz shook up the Republican primary for Senate after launching his campaign late last year, winning former President Donald Trump’s endorsement over businessman David McCormick. But it’s been another candidate, conservative commentator Kathy Barnette, making headlines in the final weeks of the race as she experiences a sudden surge.

Trump said of Barnette last week that she will "never be able to win the general election against the radical left Democrats." Her momentum in the polls has jeopardized his second attempt to influence the race -- he endorsed Oz after Sean Parnell, his initial pick, dropped out of the race.

Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz and his wife Lisa Oz arrive to cast their vote, in Bryn Athyn, Pa., May 17, 2022.
Hannah Beier/Reuters

Leading candidates for the Democratic nomination include Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Rep. Conor Lamb and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.

Another race to watch will be the gubernatorial primary. Attorney General Josh Shapiro is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination to take over for term-limited Gov. Tom Wolf, while several Republicans are looking for the opportunity to flip control of the governor’s mansion.

May 17, 2022, 7:51 PM EDT

Cheri Beasley projected to win in North Carolina Dem Senate primary

In the North Carolina Democratic Senate Primary, ABC News projects that former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley will win.

North Carolina presents a key opportunity for Democrats to possibly pick up another seat in the chamber as Republican Sen. Richard Burr retires this year.

Beasley was seen as the presumptive front-runner for the Democratic nomination.

On the Republican side, incumbent Rep. Ted Budd, carrying former President Donald Trump's endorsement, is hoping to beat two standouts in the GOP field: Former Rep. Mark Walker and former Gov. Pat McCrory. Tuesday presents a telling test of Trump's endorsement power across state lines, as he also aims for Dr. Mehmet Oz to win the Republican primary race for Pennsylvania's open Senate seat.

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