Voters in Six States Head to Polls for Primary Elections

Voters in six states will cast ballots Tuesday in primary elections that will set November general-election matchups for governor, Senate and House seats. The largest contest is California's race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. Candidates include former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, billionaire activist Tom Steyer and former television personality Steve Hilton.

California uses a top-two primary system in which the two highest vote-getters advance regardless of party. Gov. Gavin Newsom has remained neutral in the governor's race. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces Republican Spencer Pratt and Democrat Nithya Raman in her mayoral primary. More than a half-dozen California House incumbents also face primary challengers from within their own parties.

Iowa, Democrats have coalesced around State Auditor Rob Sand for governor after GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds opted not to seek a third term. Republicans are choosing among Rep. Randy Feenstra, farmer Zach Lahn and three other candidates. For the open Senate seat, Republicans have largely backed Rep.

Ashley Hinson while Democrats are choosing between state Sen. Zach Wahls and state Rep. Josh Turek. Three of Iowa's four House districts are also viewed as competitive for November. Additional primaries are occurring in Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota.