Republican Primary Runoffs Scheduled in Three States

Runoff elections for the Republican nominations in Alabama's Senate race and the gubernatorial contests in Georgia and South Carolina are set for the next two Tuesdays. In Alabama, the June 16 runoff pits a U.S. representative against a former Navy SEAL for the nomination to succeed the outgoing senator.

The representative received Trump's endorsement and participated in a tele-rally with the president the night before the article.

June 16 gubernatorial runoff features the lieutenant governor against a healthcare executive who spent more than $90 million of personal funds in the first round. The winner will face a competitive general election in the battleground state. South Carolina's June 23 gubernatorial runoff matches the lieutenant governor, who received Trump's endorsement less than two weeks before the June 9 primary, against the state attorney general.

The lieutenant governor received 29 percent in the initial primary. Trump has maintained a near-perfect record endorsing candidates in Republican primaries for Senate, House and governor seats this cycle, with one loss recorded in Iowa's gubernatorial primary on June 2.

Trump stated that the United States reached a settlement with Iran to end the war and that an agreement should be completed within days. Components under discussion include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, extending a ceasefire and addressing Iran's nuclear agreement.

Iran's foreign minister posted that a deal has never been closer while cautioning against speculation on details. A U.S. official reported that two Iranian drones were shot down overnight after Trump called off planned strikes. Israel's defense minister stated the country will not withdraw from areas in Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and must retain the ability to act independently to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.