Biden and Trump sailed to wins in their respective presidential primaries in Oregon and Kentucky, but both White House hopefuls saw new iterations of protest votes that have cropped up throughout this cycle.
In Kentucky, roughly 6 percent of the GOP primary vote went to Trump’s former rival Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the race weeks ago. She’s pulled in sizeable figures in several states as some Republicans voice upset with a Biden-Trump rematch.
On the Bluegrass State’s Democratic ticket, an “uncommitted” option swallowed up 18 percent of the vote, cutting into Biden’s victory. “Uncommitted” — which has surfaced as a progressive protest vote against the administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war — has scored 28 delegates so far, according to Decision Desk HQ’s tracker. Though that’s far from Biden’s 3,000-plus tally, it’s still a notable sign of discontent in the party.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky and Democrat Rep. Lucy McBath in Georgia both defeated primary challengers as incumbents saw a strong night across the board.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the prosecutor leading a probe into Trump and his allies’ efforts to interfere with Georgia’s 2020 election results, won her primary — while Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, the judge overseeing the Trump case, cruised to reelection.
Georgia Supreme Court Justice Andrew Pinson also won his race, fending off a challenge in a race centered on abortion.
On the West Coast, progressives saw problems in a handful of Oregon primaries. State Rep. Maxine Dexter (D) defeated Susheela Jayapal, the older sister of Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) in a crowded primary for outgoing Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s seat — and national Democrats got their wish when state Rep. Janelle Bynum (D) bested Jamie McLeod-Skinner, the party’s unsuccessful 2022 nominee, in the fight for a Republican-held House seat.
Meanwhile, California voters selected Republican Vince Fong in a special election to fill the remainder of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R) term in the House — but he’ll be on the ballot again in November to try and win a full term.
Read more takeaways from the race here.
