SUPER TUESDAY SIDESHOW: Billionaires and Progressives Try to Hijack Trump’s Primary Machine!

By Dave Blaze

Today, August 4, 2026, voters in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington are hitting the polls in a series of high-stakes primaries. These elections are crucial barometers for the ideological direction of both parties ahead of the general election.

Here is exactly what is happening on the ground and who is on the ballot.

Michigan: The Main Event

Michigan is ground zero today, hosting two of the most heavily watched primaries in the country.

The Democratic U.S. Senate Primary

Two-term Democratic incumbent Senator Gary Peters is retiring, setting up a brutal proxy war for the soul of the Democratic Party in this open seat.

Haley Stevens: A four-term U.S. Representative running as the establishment moderate. She holds the backing of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the retiring incumbent, Gary Peters.
Abdul El-Sayed: A physician and progressive organizer running with the powerful backing of Senator Bernie Sanders.
The State of the Race: This has become one of the most expensive and bitter primaries of the cycle. A recent Emerson College poll shows El-Sayed leading Stevens 54% to 39%, heavily driven by voters under 50. Over $36 million in outside super PAC money has flooded the race, mostly to support Stevens against the surging progressive. The winner faces Republican Mike Rogers (running unopposed) in the fall.

The Republican Gubernatorial Primary

Republicans are picking their challenger to face term-limited Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s successor.

John James: The current U.S. Congressman and former Senate nominee is running as the “America First” candidate. He holds the official endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Perry Johnson: A wealthy businessman and author. He lacks the Trump endorsement but has personally loaned his campaign over $30 million to drown the airwaves.
The State of the Race: Trump’s endorsement has given James the edge, with polling showing him at 40% against Johnson’s 32%. However, Johnson’s massive self-funding makes this an unpredictable fight to the finish.

Missouri: The Progressive Rematch

Missouri’s 1st Congressional District (Democratic Primary)

This is a massive grudge match in the St. Louis area, testing the survival of the progressive “Squad” against heavily funded centrist challenges.

Wesley Bell (Incumbent): The former St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney ousted Cori Bush in the 2024 primary. He has heavy establishment backing, union support, and massive funding from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Cori Bush (Challenger): The former U.S. Representative is trying to win her old seat back. She is heavily backed by Bernie Sanders, Jamaal Bowman, and the Democratic Socialists of America, banking on progressive anger over the war in Gaza and AIPAC’s spending in the race.

Kansas: The Republican Governor Primary

The Republican Gubernatorial Primary

With Democratic Governor Laura Kelly term-limited, Republicans see this as a prime pickup opportunity in a reliably red state.

Ty Masterson: The state Senate President. He holds the official endorsement of President Donald Trump and leads the field in localized donor contributions.
The Challengers: Masterson faces former state Rep. Charlotte O’Hara, financial services executive Philip Sarnecki, state Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, and Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab in a crowded field attempting to dilute the power of the Trump endorsement.

Strategic Consequences on the Vote

For Democrats:

Today is a massive test of the progressive movement. If Abdul El-Sayed captures the Michigan Senate nomination and Cori Bush reclaims her seat in Missouri, it signals a massive leftward shift in the Democratic base, proving that progressive grassroots momentum can overcome tens of millions of dollars in establishment super PAC spending. If Stevens and Bell hold the line, the moderate wing maintains its grip on the party infrastructure.

For Republicans:

Today tests the limits of the Trump endorsement against sheer financial firepower. If Congressman John James easily dispatches a self-funded billionaire like Perry Johnson in Michigan, it proves the Trump brand is the ultimate currency in GOP politics. However, if Johnson’s $30 million personal loan buys him the nomination, it creates a roadmap for wealthy outsiders to bypass Trump’s blessing entirely.