Trump strikes out in Iowa race; California governor’s primary too close to call: 5 takeaways

Voters in half a dozen states on Tuesday cast primary ballots in races that could determine control of Congress this fall, with the marquee primaries for California governor and Los Angeles mayor still up in the air.

In Iowa, voters set the stage for a critical Senate race, while the governor’s race saw the winning streak of President Trump’s endorsees hit a roadblock. In New Jersey, voters picked the Democratic challenger for Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R), who’s been scrutinized for a long absence from Congress.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) also advanced from her primary race, but her rivals were still jostling for the chance to face off against her this fall, as of Wednesday afternoon. 

And it could take days — or even weeks — for a final call in the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), a crowded field of Democrats have divided the party vote in the wide-open race. 

Here are five takeaways from Tuesday’s primary elections:

Trump strikes out in Iowa governor’s race

The power of Trump’s endorsement was called into question Tuesday when his pick for Iowa governor, Rep. Randy Feenstra (Iowa), lost the Republican primary to businessman Zach Lahn. 

It breaks a winning streak for the president, whose endorsees have toppled several detractors in primaries across the country, including Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy (La.) and John Cornyn (Texas), and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). 

Trump backed Feenstra just days before the election, while Lahn was supported by Turning Point Action, former Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) and the Make America Healthy Again PAC.

Lahn will face off this fall against Democratic state auditor Rob Sand, the only Democrat currently holding statewide office in the red stronghold. 

The nonpartisan election handicapper Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved the race from “leans Republican” to the toss up column after Lahn’s victory.

“If Iowa is ever going to have a Dem Governor again, it’s this year with Rob Sand,” Larry Sabato wrote on social media.

Democrat lockout fears off the table in California governor’s race

The primary fight for........

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