Primary elections for the November congressional elections began Tuesday in six US states. Voters in California, Iowa, New Jersey, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Montana are choosing their candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate. At the center of attention is Graham Platner from Maine, whose primary is not until next week but who is already battling a scandal.
According to information his wife shared with his campaign team last year, Platner allegedly exchanged sexually explicit messages with other women during his marriage. New York Times and the Wall Street Journal reported this, and the Guardian has confirmed the information. Platner met with Democratic Party leaders in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the affair.
The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and lasted more than an hour and a half. Platner left the building without answering reporters’ questions and quickly got into a waiting car. A DSCC spokesperson declined to comment. Platner is considered a key figure in Democratic hopes of regaining control of Congress.
In Iowa, Josh Turek faces the challenge of defeating Trump-backed Ashley Hinson. Turek aims to reclaim the Republican-held Senate seat. Primaries in the other states are largely seen as decided, but the Platner affair overshadows the campaign.
Tuesday’s primaries are an important mood test for the two major parties ahead of the decisive November elections. Democrats hope to defend their Senate majority, while Republicans seek to regain control of the House. Results from the six states are expected later in the evening.
Source: www.theguardian.com
