HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Donald Trump faces the strongest test yet of his ability to shape a new generation of congressional Republicans in Tuesday’s primary races. GOP primary voters in Pennsylvania and North Carolina are deciding whether to rally around the former president’s hand-picked choices for critical U.S. Senate seats.
Trump’s preferred candidate in North Carolina’s GOP Senate primary, congressman Ted Budd, is expected to best a packed field. In Pennsylvania’s GOP race for governor, Doug Mastriano was already leading before Trump backed him. But Trump’s pick in Pennsylvania’s GOP Senate primary, Mehmet Oz, could struggle against far-right opponent Kathy Barnette.
Three other states — Kentucky, Oregon and Idaho — are also voting Tuesday.