Democrats target House seats in California, New Jersey, Iowa

For all their talk of a “blue wave,” Democrats needed a good day Tuesday in California to have much hope of seizing the House majority this fall.

With primaries in California and seven other states on Tuesday, the political battlefield will soon be set for the first midterm elections of Donald Trump’s presidency.

Some California results, however, may not be finalized for days.

National Democrats have spent more than $7 million trying to repair the damage inflicted by California Democrats attacking each other in districts opened by retiring Republican Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa, and the district where Republican Dana Rohrabacher is facing strong challenges.

That’s money the Democrats would have preferred to spend this fall.

Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker won his primary contest, while New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat who faced federal bribery charges last year, easily did the same.

New Jersey voters gave Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, the Democratic nomination in the 11th District, where Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, a Republican, is retiring. Three other House seats are seen as pickup possibilities.

In New Jersey, businessman Bob Hugin claimed the Republican nomination Tuesday and will face Menendez, who is seeking a third term, this fall.

In Montana, Republicans will pick a candidate to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who is among the most vulnerable Democratic senators in the nation. The GOP’s likely nominees are state Auditor Matt Rosendale or retired Judge Russ Fagg.

In South Dakota, Rep. Kristi Noem’s bid to become the state GOP’s first female gubenatorial nominee opened the only House seat.

In Iowa, 28-year-old Democratic state Rep. Abby Finkenauer vied to become the youngest woman to serve in Congress.

In New Mexico, former state Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland, a tribal member of Laguna Pueblo, sought to become the first Native American woman in Congress. U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham won the Democratic primary for governor.