Georgia, Oregon, Idaho and Kentucky primaries 2024: Willis, McAfee win; tough night for progressives

Abortion didn’t help liberals flip a Georgia Supreme Court seat.

On May 21, voters in Georgia, Idaho, Oregon, Kentucky and California held key elections for Congress and nationally watched local races. Two key figures from one of Trump’s legal cases, Fani Willis and Scott McAfee, easily won their races, while conservatives won a Georgia Supreme Court election fought largely over abortion. In the House, progressives lost two key races in Oregon, while California voters picked a successor to Kevin McCarthy.

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


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Scott leading in Georgia's 13th

With over a third of the expected vote in, incumbent Scott is leading in the Democratic primary in Georgia's 13th congressional district with 60 percent of the vote so far, according to the AP. The race is a microcosm of the issues affecting the entire Democratic Party, with his younger, newer challengers attacking his age, potential health and time in office. But the crowded field my split the vote against him.

—Monica Potts, 538


Massie didn't get Trump's nod this time around

We've been tracking Trump's endorsements of House candidates, and despite getting an endorsement from the former president in 2022, this time around Trump withheld his nod. Massie was the only incumbent Republican in tonight's races that Trump did not endorse -- though Trump didn't endorse any of his opponents, either. As Tia alluded to, Trump and Massie haven't always gotten along in the past.

—Mary Radcliffe, 538


Massie and Rogers both cruise in Kentucky

Of Kentucky's five GOP incumbents, two tonight faced challengers, and both prevailed easily.

ABC News reports that Republican incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie — noted obstructionist and slinger of social media sass — will prevail over challengers Eric Deters and Michael McGinnis in Kentucky's 4th District. With around 58 percent of the expected vote reporting, he leads with 75 percent of the vote. Rep. Hal Rogers — who holds the title of House Dean, or longest serving member of the House of Representatives — had an even easier time in the 5th District. With around 52 percent of the expected vote reporting, he's garnered 81 percent.

While both these contests went as expected, Massie's did see some intrigue. Deters tried to get Massie thrown off the ballot earlier this year, and the incumbent has certainly made enemies within his own party with his hardline opposition to foreign spending and other legislation. AIPAC-affiliated ad spending in this House race was apparently intended to weaken him for potential future runs for higher office.

P.S. If you're bored waiting for results, I highly recommend browsing the #sassywithmassie hashtag.

—Tia Yang, 538


First results out of Georgia’s 3rd District

According to The Associated Press, 10 percent of the expected vote is now reporting in the GOP primary for Georgia's 3rd District, and Jack leads Dugan 42 percent to 30 percent. Remember, though, if no one wins a majority today, this race will go to a runoff.

—Nathaniel Rakich, 538


Two challengers are neck-and-neck in a Kentucky state Senate seat

In a Kentucky state Senate seat, it looks like an incumbent, state Sen. Adrienne Southworth, may be unseated by one of her two challengers, both former Navy SEALS. Aaron Reed is at 39 percent, and the other challenger, Ed Gallrein, is at 38 percent, with more than 95 percent of the expected vote reporting, while Southworth is at 22 percent.

Southworth, who represents the district just east of Louisville, was weakened by fights against her own party, largely stemming from her spreading election fraud conspiracy theories. But there's also little ideological daylight between Reed and Gallrein, and one political observer, Teri Carter, wrote that it largely seemed like a competition to wear the biggest cowboy hat. Control of the state Senate isn't at stake because Republicans have a supermajority in the legislature, but battles like this one could make a difference for issues like whether school vouchers can be used to pay for private schools in the state.

—Monica Potts, 538