Primaries in Maryland, Utah, New York: The Fight to Redraw the Electoral Map

With less than five months until the U.S. midterm elections — which will determine control of Congress and shape the final two years of President Donald Trump's term — three states go to the polls Tuesday. Utah, Maryland, and New York hold primaries, while South Carolina runs a runoff election after races on June 9 failed to produce any candidate with the necessary majority (50% or more).

Utah: Historic Race in a New District

In Utah, redistricting takes center stage. In 2018, voters approved a ballot initiative to create an independent redistricting commission, but the Republican-controlled legislature overruled it and imposed its own map in 2021. Following a lawsuit, a court ruled in 2025 that the state must use a map that does not split Salt Lake County — a Democratic-leaning area.

Thanks to the new map, Salt Lake County remains intact, creating Utah's first Democratic-leaning congressional district since 2021. All four of the state's House seats are currently held by Republicans. The race in District 1, which includes Salt Lake County, has become heated. The Republican nominee for November is Riley Owen, a former Navy intelligence officer. Democrats must choose among four candidates, with Ben McAdams — a former Salt Lake City mayor and the state's last Democratic congressman — leading the pack, but facing a challenge from state Senator Nate Blouin, a progressive focused on climate change and lowering housing costs.

One unique feature: Utah's primary is “open,” meaning any voter can participate regardless of party affiliation. The number of ballots requested for the Democratic primary in District 1 is four times the normal level, fueling speculation that Republicans and independents are flocking to vote in order to sway the results in their favor.

Maryland: Backlash After Declining to Redraw

Maryland, a Democratic stronghold with eight congressional districts (seven Democrats, one Republican), sees its most notable race in the state Senate seat of Bill Ferguson — the Maryland Senate President, a former teacher seeking a fourth term. Ferguson faces a rare challenge from fellow Democrat Bobby LaPin, a Baltimore progressive who criticizes him for rejecting a redistricting plan designed to gain more seats for Democrats.

Last year, after President Trump pressured Texas to redraw its map in favor of Republicans, many Democrats wanted Maryland to do the same to counter gerrymandering. Ferguson refused, citing legal risks and the danger of losing control of the map if courts intervene. “The legal risks were too high, the timing too dangerous, the risk to Democrats catastrophic,” he wrote. The decision has put Ferguson in the toughest primary fight of his career.

South Carolina: Trump Wavers Between Two Candidates

South Carolina holds a runoff following its primary earlier this month. The standout race is the Republican runoff for governor, as incumbent Governor Henry McMaster terms out. The top two candidates are Attorney General Alan Wilson (26.1% of the vote) and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette (28.9%).

Evette secured President Trump's endorsement in late May, but last Friday, Trump posted a message backing both. “I love the great state of South Carolina… I will be supporting both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson for Governor of South Carolina!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Observers say the move is intended to avoid the risk of his chosen candidate losing, after several other Trump-endorsed candidates failed.

New York: Race to Succeed Jerry Nadler

In New York, the Democratic primary in Congressional District 12 (midtown Manhattan) will choose a successor to veteran Representative Jerry Nadler — who has served since 1992 and is retiring at year's end. Eight candidates are vying for the seat, creating a lively contest.

Standouts include George Conway, 62, a former Republican activist whose wife worked for the Trump administration, but who has since switched to the Democratic Party. Jack Schlossberg, 33, a grandson of the late President John F. Kennedy, is running for office for the first time. Two other candidates are Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, both New York state lawmakers. Lasher, 44, leans on deep political experience, having served as an aide to Nadler. Bores, 35, focuses on artificial intelligence governance and has attracted millions of dollars in investment from the tech sector. Polls show a tight race, with no clear front-runner for the Democratic nomination for November.