Congressional primary elections to be held in several US states

Five US states will hold primary elections today to pick candidates for the November 3 general election.

Former Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach is facing off against Congressman Roger Marshall for Kansas’ Senate seat, in the most contentious Republican race in the country. Kobach, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, lost his 2018 race for Kansas’ governorship to Democrat Laura Kelly. Marshall, also a Trump supporter, has the backing of incumbent Pat Roberts as well as support from national Republican figures like Newt Gingrich. Although he backed Kobach in 2018, Trump has ruled out endorsing either candidate at this time; Kansas Republicans have not lost a US Senate election since 1938.

Today’s election has seen tremendous resources pour in from out-of-state Democratic groups to tilt the scales in Kobach’s favour. Kobach is widely seen as the weaker candidate and the National Republican Senate Committee fears his nomination will lead to another defeat. In the face of a wider GOP strategy to fight for every seat, Democrats are hoping that boosted fundraising, growing anti-Trump sentiment and moderate candidates in traditionally non-competitive states—like Kansas, Georgia and Arizona—will lead their candidates to office across the US.

Wake up smarter with an assessment of the stories that will make headlines in the next 24 hours. Download The Daily Brief.