Trump-backed candidates win primaries

Two U.S. Senate candidates backed by President Donald Trump—U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta in Pennsylvania and incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer in Nebraska—prevailed in their Republican primary contests Tuesday. Barletta will now face Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, who is seeking a third term. Fischer, who defeated four GOP challengers Tuesday, is expected to win reelection in November against Democrat Jane Raybould, a Lincoln city councilwoman who defeated three opponents in her party’s primary. In Pennsylvania, Democratic Lt. Gov. Mike Stack became the first incumbent to lose a primary election for that office, with Braddock Mayor John Fetterman winning the five-way race to join Gov. Tom Wolf on the Democratic ticket in November. In the Republican race to represent Pennsylvania’s redrawn 14th Congressional District, state Sen. Guy Reschenthaler defeated state Rep. Rick Saccone. Two months ago, Saccone also lost a special election to Democrat Conor Lamb to finish out the term for the 18th District. In Nebraska, state Sen. Bob Krist easily won the Democratic gubernatorial primary and will face heavily favored Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts in November. Oregon state Rep. Knute Buehler won the GOP nomination for Oregon governor out of a crowded field of 10 hopefuls, but incumbent Democratic Gov. Kate Brown remains the favorite to win in November. Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little secured the Republican nomination for governor of his state and is favored to win in November against state Rep. Paulette Jordan, who on Tuesday became the first woman nominated by Democrats for that office. If she upsets Little, Jordan would become the first Native American woman to serve as governor of a state.