US primaries: Voters in 6 states pick candidates for November midterms

Voters across six U.S. states are heading to the polls Tuesday for primary elections that will shape the final contests in November's crucial midterm elections. The day marks one of the busiest primary schedules of the year, with balloting in Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, South Dakota, and California.

Control of Congress hangs in the balance, as candidates vie for all seats in the House of Representatives and approximately one-third of the Senate seats. These primaries will determine which Democratic and Republican contenders advance to the general election face-offs, though formats vary by state. California, for example, employs a nonpartisan system where the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, proceed to November.

In Iowa, a state often pivotal in presidential election cycles, attention is focused on the open Senate seat following Republican Senator Joni Ernst's retirement. Democrats see an opportunity to challenge the state's Republican dominance, with State Representative Josh Turek and State Senator Zach Wahls competing for the Democratic nomination. The Republican frontrunner is expected to be U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson.

New Jersey, the 11th most populous state, also draws significant attention with its 12 House seats. Incumbent Congress member Tom Kean Jr. is running unopposed in the Republican primary for the 7th congressional district. The outcomes in these states will significantly influence the political landscape during President Donald Trump's second term.