Key takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries in Florida, Alaska and Wyoming

Voters in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming participated in primary elections on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, setting the stage for key general election contests. In Florida, Republican Representative Byron Donalds, endorsed by Donald Trump, secured the gubernatorial nomination to succeed term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis, while former Republican David Jolly won the Democratic primary after recently switching parties. The state's Democratic Senate primary saw progressive State Representative Angie Nixon emerge victorious against a well-funded opponent, though she faces a challenging general election against Republican Senator Ashley Moody. Additionally, Republican Representative Cory Mills lost his re-election bid amid ethics allegations.

Meanwhile, Alaska's unique top-four primary system advanced Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and Democratic former Representative Mary Peltola to the general election for a competitive U.S. Senate seat. Two other candidates will also progress to the November ballot. For the House, incumbent Republican Nick Begich and independent Bill Hill were among the candidates advancing to the general election.

In Wyoming, President Trump's preferred gubernatorial candidate was defeated by state lawmaker Eric Barlow in the Republican primary. For the U.S. Senate, Representative Harriet Hageman, also backed by Trump, won the Republican nomination and is expected to face former Democratic state Representative James Byrd in the fall to fill Senator Cynthia Lummis's retiring seat.