Primaries Across Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina Shape Key Senate and Governor Races

Voters in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina are voting in June primaries that will decide candidates for the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and several governorships. In Maine, Democratic newcomer Graham Platner, the presumptive nominee, will face three-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins for the Senate seat that Democrats view as essential for gaining control of Congress. Platner has denied recent personal-conduct allegations that have been reported in the press.

The Maine 2nd Congressional District primary features four Democrats seeking to replace retiring Rep. Jared Golden; the winner will meet former Republican Gov. Paul LePage in the general election. The governor’s race in the state includes a five-candidate Democratic field and a seven-candidate Republican field, with former CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah leading in recent polls and former Navy intelligence officer Bobby Charles leading among GOP contenders.

In Nevada, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is running for re-election amid a competitive environment, while Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford is positioned as the party’s strongest challenger. Ford’s primary opponents include Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill, who has criticized Ford’s support for data-center development.

South Carolina’s gubernatorial primary includes several Republican candidates, with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Other notable GOP contenders are Attorney General Alan Wilson and Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who has said she lost Trump’s endorsement over a vote on transparency of the Epstein files. Three Democrats—Jermaine Johnson, Mullins McLeod and Billy Webster—are also seeking the nomination. The race is expected to proceed to a runoff.

The primaries are part of the broader June 9 election calendar, and voter resources are available through the NPR network.