Heart of the Primaries: Democrats, Special May 22 Results Edition

[Heart of the Primaries newsletter] In this special post-primary edition: Abrams over Evans in Georgia, Amy McGrath will challenge Andy Barr (R) in KY-06, and Texas wraps up runoffs. Here are the results of the May 22 primaries so far… Abrams beats Evans for Georgia gubernatorial nomination In a race that drew national attention, former Georgia state House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams defeated former state Rep. Stacey Evans for Georgia’s [Democratic gubernatorial nomination](. The candidates largely defined themselves by their differing electoral strategies for November. Abrams said she would work on increasing Democratic turnout in urban areas, particularly among minority voters. Evans said she would try to woo disaffected suburban and rural Republicans. Georgia Democrats last won the governorship in 1998. If Abrams wins, she will be the country’s first African-American woman governor. McGrath beats Gray in KY-06 Former Marine Corps pilot Amy McGrath defeated Lexington Mayor Jim Gray in [Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District]( Democratic primary. McGrath will face incumbent Andy Barr (R) in the general election. Barr won re-election in 2016 by 20 percentage points. McGrath rose to national prominence in 2017 when she released a campaign video highlighting her military service. She developed a national fundraising network and raised over $2 million. McGrath and Gray both said they would work with President Trump in Congress and potentially oppose Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic leader. However, Gray was reportedly encouraged to run by the DCCC due to his ability to self-fund and his popularity in the 6th District. Pannill Fletcher wins Democratic runoff in TX-07 Attorney [Lizzie Pannill Fletcher]( (D) defeated writer [Laura Moser]( (D) for the Democratic [nomination]( in Texas' 7th Congressional District. With 63 percent of precincts reporting, Fletcher had 68 percent of the vote to Moser's 32 percent. Fletcher and Moser were the top two finishers in the March 6 Democratic primary. Three weeks before the primary, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) released opposition research targeting Moser, who it said would not be likely to win the general election. Moser, who was endorsed by Our Revolution, emphasized voter turnout in her campaign. Fletcher, who is backed by EMILY's List, has said that she will attempt to win support from voters who typically back Republican candidates. Kopser wins Democratic runoff in TX-21 Army veteran [Joseph Kopser]( defeated pastor [Mary Wilson]( 58-42 percent in the [Democratic primary runoff]( for Texas' 21st Congressional District. Kopser will face former Ted Cruz chief of staff Chip Roy for the seat of retiring incumbent Rep. Lamar Smith (R). Kopser was backed in the runoff by state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D) and Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea, while Wilson was endorsed by Justice Democrats. Ortiz Jones wins Democratic runoff in TX-23 Air Force veteran [Gina Ortiz Jones]( defeated teacher [Rick Treviño]( 68-32 percent in the [Democratic primary runoff]( for Texas' 23rd Congressional District. Ortiz Jones has endorsements from multiple state representatives, as well as Giffords PAC and the Daily Kos. Treviño was endorsed by the progressive organization Our Revolution. Ortiz Jones will face incumbent Rep. Will Hurd (R) in the general election. Hurd won his March 6 primary [by 60 percentage points](. UP NEXT There are no primaries next week. Enjoy your Memorial Day, and we'll see you again on Monday, June 4, with previews of the June 5 elections in California, New Jersey, New Mexico, Iowa, Alabama, Montana, Mississippi, and South Dakota. Stories to watch include… - Will Democrats split the vote and be shut out of any California [top-two elections](? - Six candidates are vying for a shot to represent New Mexico's safely Democratic [1st Congressional District](, including former New Mexico Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland and Justice Democrats-backed Antoinette Sedillo Lopez. - The primary in [New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District](, which will select a nominee to replace retiring Republican Frank LoBiondo. The district is a prime pickup opportunity for Democrats in November. Share this email: [Facebook]([Twitter]( [Advertise with Ballotpedia]( Want to sponsor this newsletter? Reach donors, consultants, activists, and voters with your message. Contact ads@ballotpedia.org for more information about advertising. [View on Ballotpedia]( Choose which emails you would like to receive from Ballotpedia: [Unsubscribe]( or [manage your subscription](