Storyline
Trump-backed primary challengers targeting incumbents
President Trump is actively endorsing and supporting primary challengers against incumbent Republican lawmakers across multiple states in 2024. Trump-backed candidates have already defeated at least two sitting representatives, including Thomas Massie in Kentucky, while challenging others like Bill Cassidy in Louisiana and John Cornyn in Texas.
This is a long-running storyline that has developed over 52 days. The homepage highlights its most recent activity, so the outlet count there reflects the latest wave. The totals above cover the full run.
Donald TrumpThomas MassieBill CassidyJohn CornynRepublican primary elections
2026-07-02
2026-07-01
- Kamala Harris reaches out to Mamdani, anti-Israel progressives as polls show her leading 2028 Dem primary
- DSA’s third major primary win deepens Democrats’ fight over the party’s future
- DSA’s third major primary win deepens Democrats’ fight over the party’s future
- Melat Kiros projected to defeat Diana DeGette in Colorado Congressional primary
- Victory on one side, uncertainty on the other: GOP primary for Colo. governor race too close to call
- Socialist Momentum Grows as Melat Kiros Wins in Denver
- Melat Kiros defeats U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in Democratic primary for Denver’s congressional seat
- Anti-Trump senator defeated by far-left rival after heated gubernatorial primary
- Anti-Trump senator defeated by far-left rival after heated gubernatorial primary
- Phil Weiser projected to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor
- Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser wins Democratic primary for governor
- Phil Weiser upsets Michael Bennet to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor
- Hurd win renomination in GOP primary after Trump endorsement reveral
- Mamdani comparisons follow Colorado Democrat into pivotal House race after primary win
- Mamdani comparisons follow Colorado Democrat into pivotal House race after primary win
- Phil Weiser overcomes big spending, name ID to beat Michael Bennet in Colorado’s Democratic primary for governor
- Manny Rutinel defeats Shannon Bird in Democratic primary in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District
- Manny Rutinel, a Progressive, Wins Colorado Primary for Competitive House Seat
- Rutinel defeats Bird in Democratic primary for battleground Colorado House seat
- Progressive Manny Rutinel wins primary in battleground Colorado House district
- Trump-backed incumbent survives right-wing primary challenge after endorsement drama in Colorado
- Trump-backed incumbent survives right-wing primary challenge after endorsement drama in Colorado
- Conservative firebrand cruises to primary win despite clash with Trump
- Conservative firebrand cruises to primary win despite clash with Trump
2026-06-28
2026-06-27
2026-06-25
- A battle of narratives emerges as Mamdani-backed candidates sweep NYC primaries
- That Amaechi may not end up a tragic hero, By Majeed Dahiru
- DSA ominously stakes its claim to NYC after primary sweep: ‘We control these areas’
- AP Exclusive: Sen. Van Hollen backs El-Sayed for Michigan Senate in break from Democratic leadership
2026-06-24
- How Democratic Socialist primary wins in New York could shape upcoming elections
- Are Democrats having a Tea Party moment?
- Candidates backed by Vermont’s Bernie Sanders sweep House primaries in New York City
- Aipac rebuffed as Mamdani-backed candidates sweep NYC Democratic primaries
- How Maryland’s governor was the big winner on Election Day, besides his own primary
- New York Mayor Mamdani cements his hold on power after three of his candidates win Democratic primaries
- AIPAC-backed Adrian Boafo wins Maryland primary, as other Democrats turn on lobby group
- Mamdani’s picks sweep New York City’s congressional primaries, ousting two incumbents
- In New York, Mamdani endorsements yield congressional primary wins
- Maryland voters tap Hoyer’s hand-picked successor, incumbents in Democratic primaries
- New York primaries: Clean sweep as 3 candidates endorsed by Mamdani win