Super Tuesday’s down-ballot primaries are poised to be more impactful than the presidential contests, which are unlikely to alter the course of the Democratic and Republican races.
While US Senate and governor primaries are on the ballot, the US House primaries are more significant for the balance of power in Washington, particularly in California.
In California, where Democrats aim to flip seven GOP-held seats, the party needs to gain a net of four seats to control the House.
These contested districts, known as crossover districts, could be ripe for the picking given that President Joe Biden would have won five in 2020 under the current district lines.
Down-Ballot Primaries (Credits: Al Jazeera)
Other states hosting primaries for competitive House races include North Carolina and Texas, with Alabama also in the mix due to redistricting creating a new district more favorable to Democrats. While these states also have primaries for safe seats, the contests could serve as crucial ideological tests.
Senate primaries are only being held in Texas and California. Republicans aim to pick up one or two seats in the fall to secure the majority.
The Texas Senate race for GOP Sen. Ted Cruz’s seat has become increasingly important for Senate Democrats in an otherwise challenging landscape.
North Carolina is holding gubernatorial primaries to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. This open-seat contest is expected to draw significant attention in the presidential battleground state, which former President Donald Trump narrowly won in 2020 and which Biden hopes to flip.
