What to watch in the US’s New Hampshire and Rhode Island primary elections

What the report says

Voters in New Hampshire and Rhode Island are set to choose Democratic and Republican nominees this week in two of the final primaries before November’s US midterm elections, according to Al Jazeera. The contests are being watched for broader national themes, including how closely Republicans align with Donald Trump and whether vulnerable Democratic incumbents can survive primary challenges.

In New Hampshire, the key race is for the Senate seat held by retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. Al Jazeera reported that Representative Chris Pappas is the Democratic frontrunner, while former senator John Sununu leads a crowded Republican field that also includes Scott Brown. The piece notes that recent polling shows a close contest and that a sizable share of voters remain undecided. It also highlights an intraparty Democratic challenge from Karishma Manzur, whose campaign has focused on criticism of US policy toward Gaza.

Rhode Island’s main contest is the Democratic governor’s primary, where incumbent Dan McKee is facing pharmacy executive Helena Foulkes. Al Jazeera said McKee has struggled with low approval ratings and that polling has shown Foulkes ahead by a wide margin. The article connects the governor’s vulnerability to voter anger over the partial closure of a Providence freeway bridge and the economic disruption that followed.

If McKee loses, he would be the first sitting US governor to fall in a primary in eight years. The Republican side in Rhode Island features Aaron Guckian and Elaine Pelino, though the party has endorsed Guckian.