Primary elections held across Florida, Wyoming, and Alaska on Tuesday presented a mixed landscape for former President Donald Trump's endorsements, with some candidates securing victories and others facing unexpected losses. The results offered insights into the Republican Party's dynamics and the growing influence of progressive movements.
In Florida, Democratic Rep. Angie Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, secured a significant upset in the U.S. Senate primary, defeating retired Air Force Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman. Nixon outspent Vindman by a considerable margin, yet secured victory by nearly 12 points. She will now face Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in the general election.
Trump-endorsed candidates in Florida also saw varied outcomes. Rep. Byron Donalds won the Republican gubernatorial primary, securing 47% of the vote against Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. Donalds is set to face former Florida Republican congressman David Jolly, who won the Democratic nomination. Republican Sen. Ashley Moody, also a Trump endorsee, won a special Senate primary election. However, incumbent Rep. Cory Mills, who received Trump's endorsement, lost his reelection bid in Florida's 7th Congressional District to challenger Ryan Elijah. Mills is currently facing an ethics committee investigation.
Catalina Lauf, who received an eleventh-hour endorsement from Trump, lost her bid for Florida's 19th Congressional District. Media executive Jim Schwartzel won that race. Former Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who had also sought the nomination, finished fourth.
In Wyoming, Trump-endorsed Rep. Harriet Hageman won her U.S. Senate primary landslide against cattle rancher Sam Mead. However, Wyoming Republicans opted against Trump's choice for governor, electing state Sen. Eric Barlow over Megan Degenfelder. Wyoming's Secretary of State Chuck Gray won a competitive five-way primary for a House seat.
In Alaska, incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan advanced to the general election in the state's non-partisan top-four primary, finishing second to former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. Alaska uses a ranked-choice voting system for its general elections.
On the House side in Florida, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz defeated self-proclaimed socialist activist Elijah Manley in the 20th Congressional District. Manley had raised significant funds and had raised racial considerations regarding Wasserman Schultz's candidacy in the historically Black district. Rep. Jared Moskowitz also defeated Oliver Larkin, a self-described DSA member, in Florida's 25th Congressional District. Moskowitz characterized his victory as a win for independent-minded Democrats.
Trump acknowledged the wins in a social media post, stating, "A lot of great WINS tonight!!!" However, the varied results underscore the complex dynamics at play in Republican primaries, with Trump's influence proving decisive in some contests but not universally successful.