Politics

Congressional Lawmakers Seeking Statewide Keep Losing

Screenshot/MS NOW

Members of Congress seeking statewide office continue to lose their bids for their state party’s nomination.

Republican Reps. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Chip Roy of Texas, Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas and many others lost their bids to become the next senator, governor or attorney general. Mace and Republican South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman both failed to advance in the gubernatorial runoff during Tuesday’s primary.

Roy lost his attorney general runoff election to Republican Texas state Sen. Mayes Middleton on May 26, despite securing endorsements from Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky. Middleton’s backers were almost entirely local officials.

President Donald Trump endorsed Republican South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the South Carolina gubernatorial race before advancing to the runoff against Republican South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. Trump also refrained from making an endorsement in Roy’s attorney general race.

Enjoying my first cup of coffee since getting my ass kicked last night, and reading about how Dems nominated the guy with the nazi tattoo.

— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) June 10, 2026

Republican Reps. Wesley Hunt of Texas and Buddy Carter of Georgia did not advance to the runoff in their Senate bids. Despite securing Trump’s endorsement, Republican Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra lost his gubernatorial primary against farmer and businessman Zach Lahn, who received the backing of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.

Republican South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson’s gubernatorial bid failed after losing failing to make the runoff in South Dakota’s June 2 primary. He did not receive an endorsement from Trump.

On the Democratic side, Crockett lost her senate bid against Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico in March. Democratic Illinois Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi also lost their senatorial campaigns.

A Gallup News poll from May showed 80% of Americans disapproved of Congress, while 12% approved. A Statista survey from April showed similar results, with 86% of Americans saying they disapproved of Congress.

However, some House members appear to be positioned to have a good chance at advancing to November’s general election, including Republican Georgia Rep. Mike Collins, who is currently the favorite to win the state’s GOP Senate runoff. Republican Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson is the Republican nominee for her Senate election, while Republican Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr is the GOP nominee for Kentucky’s November Senate general election.