Four States Hold June 23 Primaries as Mamdani and Trump Face Key 2028 Tests
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 23
Four States Hold June 23 Primaries as Mamdani and Trump Face Key 2028 Tests
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 23
Summary
Tuesday’s primaries in New York, Maryland and Utah, plus South Carolina runoffs, are set to measure whether Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump can turn endorsements into wins.
Three New York House races are the sharpest test for Mamdani, who backed Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez in contests that double as a fight over Democrats’ ideological direction before 2028.
South Carolina gives Trump a defensive test after he endorsed both GOP gubernatorial runoff candidates—Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson—following Evette’s narrow 29%-26% first-round lead.
Maryland and Utah add high-stakes side battles: David Trone has poured more than $25 million into a House primary, while Trump pardon recipient Phil Lyman challenges Rep. Celeste Maloy.
The New York slate also includes an eight-candidate Democratic primary in Manhattan’s 12th District, offering another read on whether establishment backing, anti-Trump appeal or outsider branding carries more weight.