LOS ANGELES (AP) Holding hopes of a blue wave in November, Democrats fought to shape the political battlefield in primaries across eight states, none more important than California where Republicans avoided an embarrassing setback in the race for governor.
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, easily advanced on Tuesday to the general election, with business executive John Cox coming in second. Coxs strong finish put to rest GOP fears that no Republican would qualify for the deeply Democratic states top office this fall and the partys other candidates would suffer from a resulting lack of voter interest on election day.
The governors race was one of many drawing attention to California, a state not accustomed to being a national political battleground. But its handful of competitive House races largely in Southern California have made it hotly contested territory in the fight over control of the House, drawing big money and the spotlight on the biggest primary night of midterms.
Voters in seven other states went to the polls Tuesday. And it was a big night for women, as female candidates for governor advanced. Democratic incumbents, including Californias Sen. Dianne Feinstein, fared well, fending off challenges from the left.
Neither party immediately appeared to suffer major setbacks. Yet the winners and losers in Californias most competitive races could take days to sort out given the states unique election laws.
No state offers Democrats more opportunities to gain House seats this fall than California, where more than a half dozen Republican-held seats may be in play. Democrats need to pick up 23 seats nationwide to retake the House.
Feinstein won her partys nomination for another term, as widely expected. It was still unclear whether a Republican would earn enough votes to oppose her on Californias November ballot.
Much of the days drama focused on women, who fought to make history in some cases and to avoid disaster in others.
In Alabama, four-term Republican Rep. Martha Roby was forced into a runoff election next month after failing to win 50 percent of her partys vote. She will face former Democratic Rep. Bobby Bright in Alabamas conservative 2nd district where Trump loyalty has been a central issue.
Roby was the first member of Congress to withdraw her endorsement of the Republican president in 2016 after he was caught on video bragging about grabbing womens genitals.
In New Mexico, Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham won her partys nomination in the race to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. If Grisham wins, shell be the states second Latino state executive.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey fended off three GOP challengers, while South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem became the first female nominee for governor in her state.
In Iowa, 28-year-old Democratic state Rep. Abby Finkenauer was trying to become the youngest woman to serve in Congress.
