US primaries: What to watch in Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, Washington

Primary elections are taking place in five states on Tuesday, including Michigan, Virginia, Missouri, Kansas, and Washington. In Michigan, Democrats are watching the expensive and contentious Senate primary between populist Abdul El-Sayed and moderate Rep. Haley Stevens. Stevens is running for the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, which is crucial for Democrats to hold any chance of winning Senate control.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is backing Stevens, while Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are campaigning for El-Sayed. In Virginia, the Supreme Court overturned Democrats' voter-approved plan to redraw congressional districts, prompting Virginians to use nonpartisan maps drawn in 2021. Democrats are still targeting several districts in their fight for control of the House.

Missouri's redistricting legal battles may affect congressional races, with Republican Rep. Emanuel Cleaver facing a redrawn district favoring the GOP. In Kansas, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's term will end due to term limits, opening up the governor's race. Washington will use a top-two vote system, where the top two candidates, regardless of party, advance to the general election.

Four Democrats and three Republicans are vying for the 3rd District seat, which is a likely candidate for a fall ballot. Finally, in Seattle, former Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant is challenging longtime Rep. Adam Smith in a primary.