Wednesday’s Campaign Round-Up, 6.10.26: House members fail again in bids for higher office

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

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* In South Carolina’s gubernatorial race, Republican primary voters advanced Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Attorney General Alan Wilson to a runoff. That’s notable in its own right, though it was also of interest to see who didn’t make the cut.

Among those who fell short were two incumbent GOP members of Congress, Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, the latter of whom finished an embarrassing fifth. They join a growing group of incumbent members of Congress who gave up their House seats to seek statewide office, only to fall short in party primaries.

Among Republicans, the list includes Texas’ Wesley Hunt and Chip Roy, Georgia’s Buddy Carter and Iowa’s Randy Feenstra. Among Democrats, Texas’ Jasmine Crockett, Illinois’ Raja Krishnamoorthi and Illinois’ Robin Kelly are in the same unfortunate club.

As Punchbowl News summarized, “It’s a tried-and-tested strategy: Spend a couple of terms in the House, build up political support and then run for statewide office. But this election cycle has been rough for House lawmakers seeking promotions.”

* In Texas’ closely watched Senate race, the latest statewide poll, commissioned by the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M, found Democratic state Rep. James Talarico with a narrow lead over Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton, 47% to 44%.