5 notable contests left on the 2026 primary calendar

The 2026 primary season is nearing its final stretch, but several high-profile races remain before political observers completely turn their attention to the general election.

In the next few weeks, voters in more than a dozen states will head to the polls to determine some key matchups that could help shape the November landscape. 

In Florida and Wisconsin, voters will solidify the November matchups in open-seat gubernatorial races to succeed Florida’s term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Wisconsin’s Gov. Tony Evers (D), who decided not to seek a third term.

Republicans in South Carolina will choose from a crowded field of candidates looking to fill the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R) spot on the ballot in November, while Massachusetts will see its senator, Sen. Ed Markey (D), face one of the fiercest primary battles of his career.

Here are five key primaries left on the 2026 calendar:

Following progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s narrow primary victory in Michigan last week, all eyes are on Wisconsin to see if state Rep. Francesca Hong (D), a democratic socialist, will pull off a similar feat in The Badger State.

Tuesday’s race is likely to be the biggest test for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) movement, which has seen its favored candidates oust incumbent Democrats in several high-profile primary races.

Ahead of Tuesday’s primary, Hong has held a strong lead over Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is backed by Evers.

Much of the party establishment has cast doubt on Hong’s ability to beat the GOP’s presumptive nominee, Rep. Tom Tiffany, in November. Some have suggested she could even hurt Democratic candidates running in competitive down-ballot races.  

Prominent Democratic strategist David Axelrod recently characterized Hong as a “zany liberal,” contrasting her with El-Sayed, whom he called a “serious person.” Hong pushed back, saying Axelrod and “the consultant class” are “totally clueless.”

South Carolina Senate special GOP primary 

Republican voters in South Carolina will........

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