The state of Maryland plays host to this month's only primary election this evening, so be sure to keep an eye on electoral results as they become available later today.
The traditionally deep blue state has been governed by moderate Republican Larry Hogan for the past eight years and the fight to replace him on the GOP side carries significant weight.
Two candidates, both with backgrounds as state legislators are facing off for the Republican Party's nomination in what amounts to another proxy war between the party's pro-Trump and establishment factions.
Dan Cox, a state legislator endorsed by former President Trump is taking on former state Rep. Kelly Schulz, endorsed by the outgoing and term-limited Gov. Hogan after she served as labor and commerce secretary in Hogan's administration.
Despite Trump's fairly solid track record of primary endorsements thus far, several incumbent statewide officials who are unpopular with his base, or at least its most enthusiastic elements, still prevailed in their primaries against Trump-endorsed challengers.
Democrats have their own battle raging, with 10 candidates running in their primary. Big names in the race include former DNC Chairman and Obama Labor Secretary Tom Perez as well as former Obama Education Secretary John King. King made waves early in his candidacy when he advocated for universal student debt forgiveness across the United States, costing about $1 trillion dollars.
According to Race for the White House analysis of the polls, entrepreneur and U.S. Army veteran Wes Moore is expected to beat Perez in the Democratic primary. The Republican contest between Cox and Schulz is considered a toss-up.
On the congressional front, there is plenty of drama to be seen as well. Out of Maryland's eight congressional districts, only one is held by a Republican today.
After Gov. Hogan vetoed the state's aggressively gerrymandered congressional map, it was revised, establishing a highly-competitive district in the western part of the state.
Bottom line: One GOP-held seat could become two if Republicans can win back Maryland's 6th Congressional District. The seat was in their hands until the 2010 congressional apportionment.
Former Washington Free Beacon journalist Matthew Foldi, 25, is running on the Republican side in the 6th District. Unlike the gubernatorial race I previously dug into, Foldi's fate may not be decided by pro-Trump versus anti-Trump voters. He has been endorsed by over a dozen prominent congressional Republicans who represent various ideological factions in the party. Both Gov. Hogan and Donald Trump Jr. have endorsed Foldi's campaign. The journalist-turned-politician is running against state legislator Neil Parrott, who was the Republican nominee for the seat in 2020.
The Cook Political Report rates the district as Lean Democratic, with a D+2 Partisan Voter Index (PVI). With President Biden's poll numbers reaching new lows weekly, districts such as this one look more promising come November as Republicans aim to take back the House.
So, what do you think? Do Republicans have a chance to make inroads in a state as blue as Maryland? And which candidates are you most excited about heading into the midterms? As always, tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
