Voters head to the polls today for primary elections in Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington state. In Arizona, several Republicans who have denied Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory are competing to become secretary of state — the official who oversees elections. They include Trump-endorsed state Representative Mark Finchem, who sought to overturn Trump’s 2020 loss, and state lawmaker Shawnna Bolick, who sponsored a bill to allow lawmakers to ignore election results and choose their own presidential electors.
In Washington state, Congressmembers Jaime Herrera Beutler and Dan Newhouse face Republican primary challengers. They were two of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Trump over the January 6 insurrection.
In Missouri, former President Trump on Monday delivered his endorsement in a crowded race of 19 Republicans seeking to replace retiring Republican Senator Roy Blunt. On the eve of the primary, Trump wrote, ”ERIC has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” There are two people named Eric among the 19 candidates vying for Missouri’s open Senate seat: Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Eric Greitens, the former governor. Greitens is attempting a political comeback after a report commissioned by Missouri’s Legislature in 2018 found he sexually assaulted and physically abused a woman, before blackmailing her to cover up his crime.