Results from the June 2nd Primaries in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota

Toplines

California

• Many contests remain too close to call in California, which utilizes a top-two, non-partisan primary system. 
• At present, it appears that no woman candidate will advance to the general election for governor in California. No woman has ever served as governor in California.
• While many contests remain too close to call, there are already notable results in California’s U.S. House contests.
  • Two (2D) of California’s incumbent women representatives did not run for re-election to the U.S. House in 2026: Julia Brownley (D-CA26) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA11). Women have advanced to the general election contests in both districts: Connie Chan (D), a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, came in second in California’s 11th Congressional District primary, and state Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D) finished first in California’s 26th Congressional District primary. Both contests strongly favor Democrats; however, in California's top-two, non-partisan primary system, it is possible for both general-election candidates to come from the same party. This is the case in CA-11, where Chan will face a fellow Democrat in the general election; in CA-26, Irwin will face a Republican opponent.
  • Hilda Solis (D), current Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors chair and former U.S. representative and secretary of labor, advanced to the general election in California’s 38th congressional district. This open-seat U.S. House contest, in which she will face a Republican, is currently rated as “Solid Democrat” by Cook Political Report. Solis previously served in the U.S. House from 2001 to 2009. 
  • California state Senator Aisha Wahab (D) advanced in first place to the general election in California’s 14th Congressional District. This open-seat U.S. House contest, in which she will face a Republican, is currently rated as “Solid Democrat” by Cook Political Report. If successful in November, Wahab will be the first Middle Eastern/North African woman to serve in Congress from California.

Iowa

• Current U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R) won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Iowa to replace retiring incumbent U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R). The open-seat contest is currently rated as “Lean Republican.” 
• Women are 4 of 8 (50%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Iowa, including 3 of 4 (75%) Democrats and 1 of 4 (25%) Republicans. U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R) ran successfully for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate instead of running for re-election to the U.S. House.
• Of the 4 (3D, 1R) women U.S. House nominees in Iowa, 3 (2D, 1R) will compete in general election contests currently rated as toss-ups by Cook Political Report. This includes incumbent U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) and former Iowa state Representative Christina Bohannan (D), who will compete in an all-woman rematch in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District; in 2024, Miller-Meeks defeated Bohannan by less than 1,000 votes. Learn more about all-woman congressional and gubernatorial contests here. Iowa state Senator Sarah Trone Garriott (D) will challenge incumbent U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (R) in another toss-up contest in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.
• Two (2R) women are nominees for statewide elective executive office in Iowa. Incumbent Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) is running for re-election and current Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer (R) won the Republican nomination for state auditor. Incumbent Governor Kim Reynolds (R) did not run for re-election in 2026 and will retire at the end of this term.

Montana

• Alani Bankhead won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Montana. The open-seat contest is currently rated as “Solid Republican” by Cook Political Report. If successful, Bankhead would be Montana’s first woman in the U.S. Senate and first Latina elected statewide.
• Women are 0 of 4 (0%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Montana. No woman has served in Congress from Montana since 1943, when Jeannette Rankin (R) – the first woman to serve in Congress – completed her second term. Rankin’s first term in the U.S. House was from 1917 to 1919.

New Jersey

• No women filed as candidates for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey in 2026. No woman has ever served in the U.S. Senate from New Jersey. 
• Women are 6 of 22 (27.3%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in New Jersey, including 5 of 12 (41.7%) Democrats and 1 of 10 (10%) Republicans. U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) did not run for re-election.
• Of the 6 (5D, 1R) women U.S. House nominees in New Jersey, all 3 (3D) incumbent women are favored to win election, and just 1 (1D) woman challenger – Rebecca Bennett (D) – is in a contest not currently favoring the incumbent. Bennett will challenge incumbent U.S. Representative Tom Kean (R) in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District; the contest is currently rated as a toss up by Cook Political Report. 
• Two (2R) women remain the only candidates in a U.S. House contest that is too close to call for the Republican nomination in New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District. The winner will face incumbent U.S. Representative Nellie Pou (D) in an all-woman general election contest that is currently rated as “Likely Democrat” by Cook Political Report.

New Mexico

• Deb Haaland, former secretary of the interior and U.S. representative, won the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico. The contest is currently rated as “Likely Democrat” by Cook Political Report. If successful in November, Haaland would be the first Native American woman governor in the United States. 
• Deb Haaland (D) will be joined by current Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D), who won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, on the 8th all-woman gubernatorial ticket in U.S. history. In New Mexico, nominees for governor and lieutenant governor run separately in the primary election but run as a single ticket in the general election. If successful, Haaland and Toulouse Oliver will be the second all-woman gubernatorial ticket to win a general election; Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll (D) were the first women elected on a joint ticket. New Mexico would also become the 4th state to have women serving concurrently as governor and lieutenant governor. 
• Women are 5 of 14 (35.7%) major-party nominees for statewide elective executive office in New Mexico, including 4 of 7 (57.1%) Democrats and 1 of 7 (14.3%) Republicans. A new woman is all but assured to win in the all-woman contest for secretary of state between Ramona Goolsby (R) and Amanda López Askin (D).
• Women are 3 of 6 (50%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in New Mexico, including 2 of 3 (66.7%) Democrats and 1 of 3 (33.3%) Republicans. Both incumbent women (2D) representatives are favored to win re-election in November. 
• In New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D) will be challenged by Ndidiamaka Okpareke (R) in an all-woman contest currently rated as “Solid Democrat” by Cook Political Report.
• No women filed as candidates for the U.S. Senate in New Mexico in 2026. No woman has ever served in the U.S. Senate from New Mexico. 

South Dakota

• No women filed as candidates for U.S. Senate in South Dakota in 2026. No woman has served in the U.S. Senate from South Dakota since 1948. 
• Nikki Gronli (D) won the Democratic nomination for South Dakota’s at-large seat in the U.S. House. The open-seat contest is currently rated as “Solid Republican” by Cook Political Report. No woman has served in Congress from South Dakota since 2019.
• No women filed as candidates for governor in South Dakota in 2026. Nominees for all other statewide elective executive offices will be selected at party conventions.

California

U.S. Senate

There are no U.S. Senate elections in California in 2026.

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 23 of 83 (27.7%) nominees for U.S. House in California, including 19 of 49 (38.8%) Democrats and 4 of 34 (11.8%) Republicans who have advanced to the general election. California’s top-two, non-partisan primary system means that candidates from the same party can advance from the primary to the general election. Thirty (17D, 13R) women candidates remain in 16 U.S. House primary contests that are too close to call. 

At present, the number of women nominees for the U.S. House falls short of the previous high (35), first set in 2020. Sixteen (13D, 3R) women House candidates were unsuccessful. Of the 23 (19D, 4R) women nominees for U.S. House in California: 11 (11D) are incumbents, 7 (3D, 4R) are challengers, and 5 (5D) are running for open seats.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 15 of 52 (28.8%) seats in the California delegation to the U.S. House. Forty-nine (39D, 10R) women have served in the U.S. House from California. 

• Two (2D) incumbent women representatives are not running for re-election in 2026: Julia Brownley (D) and Nancy Pelosi (D). 

Women Candidates in 2026: Sixty-nine (49D, 20R) women filed as candidates for U.S. House seats in California in 2026. This is a record high. They were 69 of 252 (27.3%) total major-party and incumbent candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Milestones to Watch in 2026: 

• No Middle Eastern/North African woman has served in Congress from California.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 6 of 11 (54.5%) nominees for statewide elective executive office in California, including 4 of 5 (80%) Democrats, 1 of 4 (25%) Republicans, and 1 of 2 (50%) nonpartisan candidates who have advanced to the general election. California’s top-two, non-partisan primary system means that candidates from the same party can advance from the primary to the general election. Thirteen (7D, 6R) women candidates remain in three statewide executive contests that are too close to call. 

The number of nominees for statewide elective executive office exceeds the previous high (5). Of the 6 (4D, 1R, 1NP) women nominees for statewide elective executive office in California: 2 (2D) are incumbents, and 4 (2D, 1R, 1NP) are running for open seats. 

Women currently hold 4 of 8 (50%) statewide elective executive offices in California. Fourteen (12D, 1R, 1NP) women have served in statewide elective executive offices in California.  

• Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis (D) is ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits. She is instead a candidate for treasurer. 
• Incumbent Treasurer Fiona Ma (D) is ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits. She is instead a candidate for lieutenant governor. 

Women Candidates in 2026: Twenty-three (12D, 7R, 4NP) women filed as candidates for statewide elective executive office in California in 2026. This is a record high. They were 23 of 79 (29.1%) total major-party candidates for statewide elective executive office in 2026.

Iowa

U.S. Senate

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 1 of 2 (50%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Iowa, including 0 of 1 (0%) Democrats and 1 of 1 (100%) Republicans. 

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 1 of 2 (50%) seats in the Iowa delegation to the U.S. Senate. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R) is the only woman who has served in the U.S. Senate from Iowa. She is not running for re-election in 2026 and will retire at the end of this term. 

Women Candidates in 2026: One (1R) woman filed as a candidate for U.S. Senate in Iowa in 2026. This is not a record high. She was 1 of 4 (25%) total major-party candidates for U.S. Senate in 2026.

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 4 of 8 (50%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Iowa, including 3 of 4 (75%) Democrats and 1 of 4 (25%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for the U.S. House falls short of the previous high (5), first set in 2020. Three (3D) women House candidates were unsuccessful. Of the 4 (3D, 1R) women nominees for U.S. House in Iowa: 1 (1R) is an incumbent, 2 (2D) are challengers, and 1  (1D) is running for an open seat.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 2 of 4 (50%) seats in the Iowa delegation to the U.S. House. Four (2D, 2R) women have served in the U.S. House from Iowa.

• Incumbent U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R) is not running for re-election to the House. Instead, she is running for the U.S. Senate in Iowa.

Women Candidates in 2026: Seven (6D, 1R) women filed as candidates for U.S. House seats in Iowa in 2026. This is a record high. They were 7 of 15 (46.7%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 2 of 12 (16.7%) major-party nominees for statewide elective executive office in Iowa, including 0 of 6 (0%) Democrats and 2 of 6 (33.3%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for statewide elective executive office falls short of the previous high (4). One (1R) woman statewide executive candidate was unsuccessful. Of the 2 (2R) women nominees for statewide elective executive office in Iowa: 1 (1R) is an incumbent, and 1 (1R) is running for an open seat. 

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 3 of 7 (42.9%) statewide elective executive offices in Iowa. Fifteen (6D, 9R) women have served in statewide elective executive offices in Iowa. This includes 2 (1D, 1R) women who have served in more than one statewide elective executive office. 

• Incumbent Governor Kim Reynolds (R) is not running for re-election in 2026 and will retire at the end of this term. 
• Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer (R) is not running for re-election. Instead, she is a candidate for state auditor. 

Women Candidates in 2026: Three (3R) women filed as candidates for statewide elective executive office in Iowa  in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 3 of 17 (17.6%) total major-party candidates for statewide elective executive office in 2026.

Montana

U.S. Senate

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 1 of 2 (50%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Montana, including 1 of 1 (100%) Democrats and 0 of 1 (0%) Republicans. 

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: No woman has served in the U.S. Senate from Montana.

Women Candidates in 2026: Two (2D) women filed as candidates for U.S. Senate in Montana in 2026. This is not a new record high. They were 2 of 8 (25%) total major-party candidates for U.S. Senate in 2026.

Milestones to Watch in 2026: 

• No woman has served in the U.S. Senate from Montana.
• No Latina has been elected to statewide office in Montana. 

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 0 of 4 (0%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in Montana, including  0 of 2 (0%) Democrats and 0 of 2 (0%) Republicans. One (1R) woman House candidate was  unsuccessful. No woman has served in Congress from Montana since 1943, when Jeannette Rankin (R) – the first woman to serve in Congress – completed her second term. Rankin’s first term in the U.S. House was from 1917 to 1919.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 0 of 2 (0%) seats in the Montana delegation to the U.S. House. Just 1 (1R) woman has served in the U.S. House from Montana.

Women Candidates in 2026: One (1R) woman filed as a candidate for a U.S. House seat in Montana in 2026. This is not a record high. She was 1 of 12 (8.3%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

There are no statewide executive elections in Montana in 2026.

New Jersey

U.S. Senate

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: No woman has served in the U.S. Senate from New Jersey. 

Women Candidates in 2026: No women filed as candidates for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey in 2026. They were 0 of 5 (0%) total major-party candidates for U.S. Senate in 2026.

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 6 of 22 (27.3%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in New Jersey, including 5 of 12 (41.7%) Democrats and 1 of 10 (10%) Republicans. Two (2R) women remain the only candidates in a contest that is too close to call for the Republican nomination in New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District. The winner will face incumbent U.S. Representative Nellie Pou (D) in an all-woman general election contest. 

The number of women major-party nominees for the U.S. House will match the previous high (7), first set in 2020. Six (6D) women House candidates were unsuccessful. Of the 6 (5D, 1R) women nominees for U.S. House in New Jersey: 3 (3D) are incumbents, and 3 (2D, 1R) are challengers.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation:  Women currently hold 4 of 12 (33.3%) seats in the New Jersey delegation to the U.S. House. Ten (7D, 3R) women have served in the U.S. House from New Jersey. 

• Incumbent U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) is not running for re-election in 2026 and will retire at the end of this term. 

Women Candidates in 2026: Fourteen (11D, 3R) women filed as candidates for U.S. House seats in New Jersey in 2026. This matches the record high. They were 14 of 52 (26.9%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

There are no statewide executive elections in New Jersey in 2026. 

New Mexico

U.S. Senate

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: No woman has served in the U.S. Senate from New Mexico. 

Women Candidates in 2026: No women filed as candidates for the U.S. Senate in New Mexico in 2026. They were 0 of 2 (0%) total major-party candidates for U.S. Senate in 2026.

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 3 of 6 (50%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in New Mexico, including 2 of 3 (66.7%) Democrats and 1 of 3 (33.3%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for the U.S. House falls short of the previous high (6), first set in 2020. Of the 3 (2D, 1R) women nominees for U.S. House in New Mexico: 2 (2D) are incumbents, and 1 (1R) is a challenger.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 2 of 3 (66.7%) seats in the New Mexico delegation to the U.S. House. Eight (6D, 2R) women have served in the U.S. House from New Mexico.

Women Candidates in 2026: Three (2D, 1R) women filed as candidates for U.S. House seats in New Mexico in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 3 of 7 (42.9%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Milestones to Watch in 2026: 

• No Black woman has served in Congress from New Mexico.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 5 of 14 (35.7%) major-party nominees for statewide elective executive office in New Mexico, including 4 of 7 (57.1%) Democrats and 1 of 7 (14.3%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for statewide elective executive office matches the previous high (5). One (1D) woman statewide executive candidate was unsuccessful. Of the 5 (4D, 1R) women nominees for statewide elective executive office in New Mexico: 1 (1D) is an incumbent, and 4 (3D, 1R) are running for open seats. A new woman is all but assured to win in the all-woman contest for secretary of state.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 4 of 7 (57.1%) statewide elective executive offices in New Mexico. Thirty (28D, 2R) women have served in statewide elective executive offices in New Mexico.

• Incumbent Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) is ineligible to run for re-election in 2026 due to term limits.
• Incumbent Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richardson (D) is ineligible to run for re-election in 2026 due to term limits. 
• Incumbent Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D) is ineligible to run for re-election in 2026 due to term limits. Instead, she is a candidate for lieutenant governor. 

Women Candidates in 2026: Six (5D, 1R) women filed as candidates for statewide elective executive office in New Mexico in 2026. This is not a record high. They were 6 of 21 (28.6%) total major-party candidates for statewide elective executive office in 2026.

Milestones to Watch in 2026: 

• No Native American woman has served as governor in the United States.
• Deb Haaland (D) and Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D) are the 8th all-woman gubernatorial ticket in U.S. history
• Just one all-woman gubernatorial ticket has won a general election in the U.S.; Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll (D) were elected on a joint ticket in November 2022. 
• Women have served concurrently as governor and lieutenant governor in three states: Arkansas (2023-Present), Iowa (2024-Present), and Massachusetts (2023-Present). 

South Dakota

U.S. Senate

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 0 of 2 (0%) seats in the South Dakota delegation to the U.S. Senate. Two (2R) women have served in the U.S. Senate from South Dakota.

Women Candidates in 2026: No women filed as candidates for U.S. Senate in South Dakota in 2026. They were 0 of 3 (0%) total major-party candidates for U.S. Senate in 2026.

U.S. House

Women Nominees in 2026: Based on primary election results, women are 1 of 2 (50%) major-party nominees for U.S. House in South Dakota, including 1 of 1 (100%) Democrats and 0 of 1 (0%) Republicans. 

The number of women major-party nominees for the U.S. House falls short of the previous high (2). The sole (1D) woman nominee for U.S. House in South Dakota is  running for an open seat.

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 0 of 1 (0%) seats in the South Dakota delegation to the U.S. House. Two (1D, 1R) women have served in the U.S. House from South Dakota.

Women Candidates in 2026: One (1D) woman filed as a candidate for the U.S. House in South Dakota in 2026. This is not a record high. She was 1 of 3 (33.3%) total major-party candidates for U.S. House in 2026.

Milestones to Watch in 2026: 

• No woman has served in Congress from South Dakota since 2019.

Statewide Elective Executive Office

Women Nominees in 2026: Nominees for all statewide elective executive offices other than governor will be selected at party conventions. The Republican convention will be held  on June 27, and the Democratic Party convention will be held on June 6. 

Current/Historic Women’s Representation: Women currently hold 2 of 10 (20%) statewide elective executive offices in South Dakota. Twenty-seven (20D, 7R) women have served in statewide elective executive offices in South Dakota. This includes 1 (1R) woman who served in more than one statewide elective executive office.

• Incumbent Secretary of State Monae Johnson (R) is running for re-election in 2026.
• Incumbent Public Service Commissioner Kristie Fiegen (R) is not up for re-election in 2026.