In Tuesday's primary elections, the contours of a premier Senate race took shape in Iowa, while President Donald Trump’s endorsement streak ran into a roadblock there. Democrats chose a nominee for a New Jersey House race that could decide control of the chamber.
But much of the focus was on California, home to Hollywood but not a governor's race packing much star power.
Plus, the U.S. Supreme Court's latest word on redistricting, Trump's embrace of his role as America's Host-in-Chief, and bureau chief Anna Johnson's weekly picks. |
A note to our readers:
We asked for your feedback on Ground Game, and we heard you when you said that you wanted more! Starting next week, Ground Game adds a Friday edition, recapping the week's political news and sending you into the weekend, up to date. Please keep sending us ideas, and thank you for reading! — Meg
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California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton celebrates during an election night event Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Huntington Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) |
Takeaways from primaries starring Spencer Pratt, a missing congressman and a loss for Donald Trump — By Steven Sloan and Steve Peoples
The power of Trump’s endorsement has helped end the political careers of several GOP members of Congress lately. But the president was unable to lift Rep. Randy Feenstra to victory in Iowa’s Republican primary for governor. Even though Trump jumped in with his backing last week, Feenstra narrowly lost to Zach Lahn (more on that below).
The Los Angeles mayor's race, meanwhile, was jolted by the candidacy of Spencer Pratt, who starred on the reality television show “The Hills.” The Republican has been trying to capitalize on dissatisfaction with Democrat Karen Bass, who is seeking a second term. Bass secured enough votes to make the November runoff, but it was unclear who her opponent will be. Also running is Nithya Raman, a progressive members of the City Council.
And in a chaotic California governor's race, with about 60 names on the ballot to succeed term-limited Gavin Newsom, Democrats Xavier Becerra — a former congressman and state attorney general — and Tom Steyer, a billionaire known for his climate activism, and Republican Steve Hilton were leading in early returns after polls closed. The top two advance to November, regardless of party.
Democrats nominated Rebecca Bennett to take on Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, a race that's been under close scrutiny because of Kean’s extended and unexplained medical absence. Kean — who has missed more than 100 votes since March 5 — released a statement Tuesday saying he is “focused on my recovery" and would return to “in person work within a matter of weeks.”
Read more from Sloan and Peoples on Tuesday night's pivotal primaries. |
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Supreme Court allows Alabama to use House map favoring GOP |
A demonstrator holds up a sign outside the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on May, 7 2026. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler) |
Supreme Court allows Alabama to use congressional map favoring Republicans in this year’s elections — By Mark Sherman The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Alabama to use a congressional map favoring Republicans in this year’s elections, blocking a lower court ruling that the redistricting plan intentionally discriminates against Black people.
With the three liberal justices dissenting, the court granted the state’s emergency appeal to use a map it adopted three years ago that has a majority-Black population in just one of its seven congressional districts. Shortly after the court acted, Ivey confirmed that the state will use the map in special congressional primaries in four districts on Aug. 11. The high-court order is the latest development in a redistricting frenzy that is part of a broader push by Trump to try to hold on to Republicans’ slim House majority in the November elections.
It also represents the latest fallout last month’s Supreme Court ruling that struck down a Black-majority district in Louisiana and weakened the federal Voting Rights Act, a decision that's led Republicans in several Southern states — including Alabama — to take steps to reshape voting districts with large minority populations that have elected Democrats.
Read more from Sherman on the high court's Alabama ruling. | |
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Trump's hosting streak: America's 250th birthday and World Cup |
Workers continue building the cage for a future UFC fight on the South Lawn in front of the White House, Saturday, May 30 2026, in Washington, as seen from the Washington Monument. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) |
The White House as a stage: Trump’s hosting streak meets America's 250th birthday and the World Cup — By Will Weissert
When nearly all the scheduled musical performers pulled out of a concert series marking America’s 250th anniversary — fearing the event had become too closely tied to Trump — he responded by making it official.
Trump announced he'd now be the headlining act of the Great American State Fair.
That put to rest any possible scenario where a president who has built his personal and political persona on seizing the spotlight might cede the stage to avoid overshadowing a national celebration bigger than himself. It also offered a peek into how the president is likely to approach hosting the upcoming World Cup.
From his pre-politician reality shows, to hours spent entertaining at events, proudly showing off his various properties and efforts to overhaul the White House, the president relishes hosting. Trump can be a gracious, personable and highly watchable master of ceremonies — but he's also one who tends to make every event about himself.
Exhibit A is the fair, which begins June 25 and was supposed to feature concerts but now will be kicked off by a Trump rally. That will follow a June 14 UFC bout at the White House. Trump is a longtime cage match fan, and the event marks his 80th birthday, but the president has sought to bill it as part of the anniversary festivities.
Other ways Trump has injected himself into the anniversary? The State Department is issuing passports with the president's picture, and officials have designed a new $250 bill with his likeness. The Trump Organization, being run by Trump's children while he's president, applied to trademark "Trump 250" logos and other merchandise.
Read more from Weissert on Trump's embrace of U.S. Host-in-Chief. |
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President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he arrives at the White House, Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) |
Trump’s financial ties face scrutiny after moves benefiting allies and family — By Will Weissert and Michelle L. Price
— With news that the Trump administration was scrapping plans to create a nearly $1.8 billion fund that could be funneled to his supporters, Will and Michelle look at some of the key ways Trump has reaped rewards for himself, his children and his allies As the Pentagon pushes for battlefield AI, some military leaders urge caution — By Konstantin Toropin
— Konstantin traveled to Florida recently for a military conference and one of the stories he reported looked at how the Trump administration is pushing to unleash the power of AI for the U.S. military while also facing calls — including from top leaders in uniform — to put up guardrails and use caution. ‘Out of my lane.’ Dr. Oz ducks questions during his turn in the White House briefing room — By Will Weissert and Josh Boak
— The White House has invited different members of the administration to brief reporters while press secretary Karoline Leavitt is on maternity leave. The AP's White House team has written about the appearances to give a sense of what it was like in the briefing room, including Dr. Mehmet Oz's on Tuesday. |
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