Six states from California to New Jersey held primaries on Tuesday night, and the primary election takeaways: Trump endorsee loses, AOC candidates win tell the story of a political landscape where movement activists in both parties are gaining ground against institutional candidates — and where even a presidential endorsement could not save one Iowa congressman from defeat. Randy Feenstra became the first statewide Trump endorsee to lose a primary in 2026, falling to Turning Point Action-backed businessman Zach Lahn by fewer than 2,000 votes. Meanwhile, progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez extended her endorsement winning streak, with her backed candidates winning in New Jersey and Montana. In South Dakota, Governor Larry Rhoden finished second in his own primary and now faces a July runoff.

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Primary Election Takeaways: Trump Endorsee Loses, AOC Candidates Win — The Iowa Shock

Trump endorsed Representative Randy Feenstra on Friday, hoping the late intervention would push him over the top in a crowded Republican field for governor. Instead, Feenstra lost to businessman Zach Lahn by a margin of 38.0% to 37.2% — a gap of fewer than 2,000 votes.

Lahn was backed by Turning Point Action and former Representative Steve King. Feenstra was the institutional pick: a sitting congressman with the president’s endorsement. The populist insurgency won.

Feenstra becomes the first statewide Trump endorsee to lose a primary in 2026, though several also lost in 2022. The result suggests the movement infrastructure that has grown beneath Trump — Turning Point, conservative media, local activist networks — is now strong enough to defeat his own candidates Associated Press election returns, 3 June 2026.

In the Democratic Senate primary, state Representative Josh Turek sailed to victory over state Senator Zach Wahls by 25 points. The Democratic super PAC VoteVets spent about $10 million to help Turek, who will face GOP Representative Ashley Hinson in November. Hinson is the favourite in a state Trump won by 13 points in 2024, though some prognosticators have moved the race from likely Republican to leaning Republican.

Trump’s endorsement record — when the magic wand doesn’t work

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Primary Election Takeaways: Trump Endorsee Loses, AOC Candidates Win — The Progressive Surge

The same night, Ocasio-Cortez extended her own endorsement record. Her backed candidates won in New Jersey’s 12th District (Adam Hamawy) and Montana’s 1st District (Sam Forstag). In California’s 22nd District, her endorsee, political science professor Randy Villegas, led an establishment favourite for the chance to face GOP Representative David Valadao in a top-targeted race.

Previously this year, Ocasio-Cortez-backed candidates won in New Jersey’s 11th District and Pennsylvania’s 3rd. The progressive wing of the Democratic Party is building a bench and proving that movement endorsements translate into votes.

The structural symmetry across both parties is instructive. Populist insurgencies are winning primaries against institutional picks. The question in both parties is the same: who decides who gets to run — party leadership or movement activists?

Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez declined to back her former chief of staff, Saikat Chakrabarti, in the primary to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Chakrabarti missed the top two spots needed to advance to November.

The AOC effect — how progressive endorsements are reshaping Democratic primaries

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Primary Election Takeaways: Trump Endorsee Loses, AOC Candidates Win — The Montana Gamble

In Montana, little-known Democrat Alani Bankhead won the Senate nomination — a result some Democrats appear to have quietly encouraged. The hope is that Bankhead, who has raised very little money, will either drop out or run a minimal campaign, allowing independent former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar to consolidate the anti-Republican vote against GOP former US Attorney Kurt Alme.

The strategy — letting independents lead the opposition in deep-red states — is one Democrats have deployed before. It is a tacit admission that the Democratic brand is toxic in certain states.

The risk is that Bankhead does not step aside. She has denied that she will. If she stays in, the anti-Republican vote splits. The Montana race is a test case for a strategy Democrats may need to replicate in multiple states to hold their Senate majority Montana Secretary of State election returns, 3 June 2026.

The independent strategy — can Democrats win without the Democratic brand?

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Primary Election Takeaways: Trump Endorsee Loses, AOC Candidates Win — South Dakota and California

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden finished second in his Republican primary behind businessman Toby Doeden. The race is not over — state law requires a runoff if no candidate reaches 35%, and Rhoden cleared that threshold. The runoff is set for 28 July.

In California, results will take days to clarify, given the state’s slow vote-counting. In the governor’s race, Democratic former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is positioned to claim one of the two November slots. The other is likely to go to Republican former Fox News host Steve Hilton or Democratic billionaire Tom Steyer.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advanced to November, but the second slot remains too early to call between Republican Spencer Pratt and progressive councilmember Nithya Raman.

California’s slow count — why the state’s primary results take days to settle

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FAQ: Primary Elections June 2026

Which Trump endorsee lost?

Representative Randy Feenstra lost the Iowa governor’s Republican primary to businessman Zach Lahn, becoming the first statewide Trump endorsee to lose a primary in 2026.

Who did AOC’s endorsements help?

AOC-backed candidates won in New Jersey’s 12th District and Montana’s 1st District. Her endorsee in California’s 22nd District led an establishment favourite in early returns.

What happened in South Dakota?

Governor Larry Rhoden finished second in his Republican primary. The race goes to a runoff on 28 July under state law requiring a candidate to reach 35%.

Why is the Montana Senate race notable?

Democrats are hoping their nominee, Alani Bankhead, steps aside to let independent Seth Bodnar consolidate the anti-Republican vote — a strategy for competing in deep-red states.

When will the California results be clear?

California counts votes slowly, especially ballots received after Election Day. Final results in close races may take several days or longer.

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Written by the Washington Bureau, drawing on Associated Press election returns, VoteVets spending data, and state election office results. The bureau has covered US primary elections and congressional campaigns for over two decades.

Source: Associated Press, VoteVets, Election Returns