The petro-fascist U.S. Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act to let Louisiana redistrict to eliminate its two Black Democratic seats. Even though absentee voting had already begun for the May 16th primary, the oil-soaked Gov. Jeff Landry (R) declared an emergency to cancel the House elections, with John Roberts’ emergency blessing.

Today, May 5th, is primary day in Indiana and Ohio. Trump pressured Indiana to redistrict to eliminate the state’s two Democratic districts, but local Republicans refused.

Next Tuesday, May 12th, Nebraska and West Virginia vote.

On Saturday, May 16th, Louisiana holds the rest of its elections, unless a court appeal restores the House elections.

On Tuesday, May 19th, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania vote.

Pennsylvania represents a significant pickup opportunity for Democrats, with at least four Republicans at risk of losing their seats. The primaries will decide if the Democratic contenders will fight for climate justice.

May 5th

Indiana’s 5th

Incumbent: Victoria Spartz (R)
Rating: Safe R

A 5 to 10 point swing towards Democrats would make Indiana’s 5th, held by GOP Rep. Victoria Spartz, competitive. The progressive state senator J.D. Ford, running on an anti-DOGE, anti-data-center platform, is expected to win the Democratic primary. Ford recently introduced a bill supporting plug-in solar. Another progressive candidate running is the young Army veteran Jackson Franklin, a strong Bernie Sanders supporter endorsed by Beyond the Ballot.

Ohio

Ohio was redistricted to strengthen the GOP advantage, threatening Democratic incumbents Greg Landsman (OH-01), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Emilia Sykes (OH-13), while making the districts of GOP incumbents Mike Turner (OH-10) and Mike Carey (OH-15) more conservative.

However, a 5 to 10 point swing towards Democrats could make the GOP-held 7th, 8th, 10th, 14th, and 15th districts competitive. The DCCC-preferred candidates are ironworker Brian Poindexter (OH-07), Air Force nurse Kristina Knickerbocker (OH-10), and former state rep. Adam Miller (OH-15), who lost to Carey in 2024. None are running as climate hawks.

May 12th

Nebraska’s 2nd

Open: Incumbent Don Bacon (R) retiring
Rating: Leans D

With Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) retiring, this district is expected to go to the Democratic nominee. The Prospect has a good article on the unique dynamics in this primary. Hill Heat is esoterically a fan of John Cavanaugh’s insurance reform legislation. The TAP article frames the race as mostly between Cavanaugh, endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Denise Powell, backed by EMILY’s List. (Former Steny Hoyer staffer James Leuschen, who effectively managed Brad Ashford’s campaigns in the past, dropped out at the end of March.)

May 19th

Georgia Senate

Incumbent: Jon Ossoff (D)
Rating: Leans D

As the Trump regime dismantles our democracy and economy, Sen. Ossoff is looking more like a lock for re-election. Ossoff has not distinguished himself as a champion of climate justice, but is starting to move against the data-center explosion.

Georgia’s 13th

Open: Incumbent David Scott (D) died in office
Rating: Safe D

We’ve written about how bad David Scott is numerous times before. Really, really, really bad. Two weeks ago, he died in office at the age of 80, turning his crowded field of challengers into even competitors. Even fin-tech lobbyist Pierre Whatley would be an improvement over Scott! However, Dr. Jasmine Clark stands out as someone who both has institutional support and endorsements from many colleagues in the legislature, and a background in science and medicine. She is one of Indivisible’s first three 2026 endorsements.

In addition to the May primary to determine who is on the ballot in November, the special election to fill Scott’s seat until January will be held on July 28th. Scott’s daughter Marcye is running.

Kentucky Senate

Open: Incumbent Mitch McConnell (R) is retiring
Rating: Safe R

State Rep. Charles Booker, recently the failed Democratic challenger to Sen. Rand Paul, is running against Angie Craig, the most recent failed Democratic challenger to Mitch McConnell. In 2020, Booker ran as the Green New Deal candidate. Unless there is a seismic change in the electorate, the winner of the Democratic primary will fall to Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky. 6th), a run-of-the-mill climate denier who got the Trump endorsement and is expected to easily win his primary.

Kentucky’s 6th

Open: Incumbent Andy Barr (R) running for U.S. Senate
Rating: Safe R

The 6th district is on the outside edge of competitive in a wave election, as incumbent Rep. Andy Barr is running for the U.S. Senate. EMILY’s List has endorsed former state rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, and the military-industrial PAC New Politics is backing Zach Dembo.

Oregon’s 4th

Incumbent: Val Hoyle (D)
Rating: Safe D

Progressive Democrats of America have endorsed Melissa Bird against the moderate New Democrat Val Hoyle, who is backed by AIPAC. Hoyle had the brilliant political instincts to join the DOGE Caucus in December 2024; she left in February 2025.

Pennsylvania’s 1st

Incumbent: Brian Fitzpatrick (R)
Rating: Likely R

Bucks County commissioner Bob Harvie, a newly announced DCCC pick, is the overwhelming favorite to be the Democratic candidate against incumbent Brian Fitzpatrick. Lucia Simonelli is the long-shot progressive climate hawk in the race, a math Ph.D. who served as a climate advisor to Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on a Congressional fellowship.

Pennsylvania’s 3rd

Open: Incumbent Dwight Evans (D) retiring
Rating: Safe D

Sunrise and Jane PAC have endorsed Chris Rabb, a true climate champion, in the race to succeed the retiring Democrat Rep. Dwight Evans.

Pennsylvania’s 7th

Incumbent: Ryan Mackenzie (R)
Rating: Toss-up

Firefighter Bob Brooks is backed by Bernie Sanders, the Progressive Caucus, Pennsylvania’s fracking-and-AIPAC-friendly Gov. Josh Shapiro, and, most recently, the DCCC. The corporatist candidates are Carol Obando-Derstine, backed by EMILY’s List and 314 Action, and former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell, who has raised an astounding $1.1 million (with about $250,000 from lawyers, including $60,000 from the wildfire litigation firm Singleton Schrieiber alone), backed by veteran PACs. Meanwhile Lehigh county executive Lamont McClure is running a strong campaign backed by the building trades, while also campaigning for better environmental protections. (Lehigh Controller Mark Pinsley, the most progressive climate hawk, dropped out.)

Pennsylvania’s 8th

Incumbent: Rob Bresnahan (R)
Rating: Toss-up

The DCCC is backing Scranton mayor Paige Cognetti, a New Democrat pick and the only candidate with an active campaign.

Pennsylvania’s 10th

Incumbent: Scott Perry (R)
Rating: Toss-up

The DCCC is backing New Democrat Janelle Stelson, a local news anchor and the only serious contender.

Pennsylvania’s 12th

Incumbent: Summer Lee (D)
Rating: Safe D

Green New Dealer, Squad leader, all-around fierce working-class champion Summer Lee (D) is running effectively unopposed. Her right-wing opponents have focused instead on trying to dismantle the lefty political network in the Pittsburgh region Summer has helped build.