What states are holding midterm primary elections on 2 August 2022?

The November elections will be crucial for President Biden and the primaries give an insight into the mood within the parties ahead of the midterms.

Update: Aug 1st, 2022 08:50 EDT

Nathan HowardGetty

Ther are now less than 100 days to go until the congressional midterm elections in November, with Democrats expected to suffer losses. The incumbent party typically loses seats during midterm elections but President Biden’s low approval ratings suggest that the Democrats may face a significant backlash.

But before we can look too closely at the likely outcomes of the midterm elections, the states must conduct their primary races to determine who is on the ballot come November. The next batch of midterm primaries comes on Tuesday, 2 August, with five states holding elections that day.

We take a look at the upcoming primary races in those states…

Arizona

Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly faces an uphill battle to keep the seat he won in 2020 with numerous GOP candidates in the running to replace him. The keys to the Governor’s office are also up for grabs with Trump-endorsed Kari Lake and Katie Hobbs, Arizona Secretary of State while the former President reportedly sought to influence election supervisors. State legislator Mark Finchem, a promoter of election conspiracy theories, is running in the primary to succeed Hobbs as Secretary of State.

As Secretary of State, I knew I’d face attacks. But when they came after my family, our state, our freedom – that’s where I draw the line. I’m running for governor because we need leaders who will get the job done, even when it’s tough.

Join me: https://t.co/LM2sCDVynA pic.twitter.com/cWK3NZf0pB
— Katie Hobbs (@katiehobbs) June 29, 2022

Kansas

The current Governor, Democrat Laura Kelly, who won an unlikely victory in 2018 is up for re-election and this time faces tougher opposition. State Attorney General Derek Schmidt has been endorsed by former President Trump seems the most likely to supplant her. Rep. Sharice Davids could also be at risk as the only Kansan Democrat in Congress.

Michigan

Another state where both the Governor’s office and role of Secretary of State are up for grabs is Michigan, both of which are currently held by Democrats. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has faced huge opposition from Republican base voter, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has been subjected to violent threats for rebuffing attempts to subvert the 2020 election. Trump-backed conservative Kristina Karamo looks the most likely challenger.

Missouri

There is just one primary election in Missouri this week but it could be a vital one. Retiring Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican, has a number of candidates vying to replace him. From the GOP, outspoken Rep. Vicky Hartzler and former Governor Eric Greitens are in the running. The Democrats have put forward Marine veteran Lucas Kunce and Trudy Busch Valentine, heiress to the Anheuser-Busch fortune.

I was the first person in the country who said that when I'm in the Senate, I'm voting for new leadership.

No More RINOs. I'm not voting for Mitch McConnell. pic.twitter.com/qqsxG25gOr
— Eric Greitens (@EricGreitens) November 15, 2021

Washington

The Washington midterms could be a crucial bellwether of the mood of GOP voters at the moment, with two of the ten Republicans Representatives who voted to impeach Trump up for re-election. Reps. Dan Newhouse and Jaime Herrera Beutler face significant challenges in the primary elections from Trump-endorsed candidates, and the outcome could signify the influence that the former President retains in the party.