Voters went to the ballot box Tuesday for primaries in New York, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and Mississippi. The elections took on added importance and relevance amid escalating tensions over the coronavirus and race relations in the U.S. and with the presidential election looming.

Here are some major highlights from the races.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Fends Off Challenger Michelle Caruso-Cabrera

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 30, trounced challenger Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, 53, in the Democratic primary for New York’s 14th congressional district. Ocasio-Cortez received 72.6% of the vote, with Caruso-Cabrera winning 19.4%.

Caruso-Cabrera, a former CNBC anchor, was a former Republican who accused Ocasio-Cortez of not being present in her district, which includes New York City boroughs The Bronx and Queens. Caruso-Cabrera has portrayed herself as a jobs-focused conservative Democrat, and criticized Ocasio-Cortez for her opposition against Amazon’s expansion in Queens.

In response, Ocasio-Cortez attacked Caruso-Cabrera for being out of touch, with Caruso-Cabrera having only moved to The Bronx late last year. Caruso-Cabrera had previously lived in Manhattan for 20 years and resided in Trump Tower for a period of time.

Ocasio-Cortez, who was elected in 2018 after an upset win over incumbent Joe Crowley, has become one of the most outspoken progressive members of the House. She is a frequent target of the political right and has been attacked by President Trump.

Progressive Insurgent Jamaal Bowman Heads For Likely Victory Against Eliot Engel

In the Democratic primary race for New York’s 16th district, progressive insurgent Jamaal Bowman, 44, is heading for a likely victory against incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel. With 92% of precincts reporting, Bowman has 60.9% of the vote to Engel’s 35.6%.

Engel, 73, the current Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has served in Congress since 1989 and is backed by Democratic figures such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The 16th district includes the northern Bronx and the southern half of Westchester County, with Engel being seen by voters as out of touch with his constituents. During the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, Engel was staying at his home in Maryland instead of living in New York.

Bowman has attacked Engel for not being present during the crisis.

“In the middle of the worst crisis to hit our community in generations, Eliot Engel is not even in the district,” Bowman said. “If that’s not taking us for granted, then I don’t know what is.

“After 31 years in Congress, Eliot Engel has completely lost touch, and it’s time for him to go,” he continued.

Bowman’s platform consists of progressive policies such as Medicare-for-all and the Green New Deal. Engel has promoted his role in the House impeachment inquiry of Trump.

Former Marine Pilot Amy McGrath In Close Race With Progressive Rival Charles Booker

In Kentucky’s Senate Democratic primary, former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath is in a close race with progressive rival Charles Booker, as both seek to unseat longtime Republican Mitch McConnell. With 62% of precincts reporting, McGrath comes in at 44% to Booker’s 37.6%, but NBC News has projected that the race is too close to call. A substantial number of in-mail ballots still have to be counted.

The winner of the primary will take on McConnell in November’s general election.

McGrath, a 45-year-old conservative Democrat, is pro-gun but also in favor of addressing climate change and preserving the Affordable Care Act. In the first quarter of the year, she raised $12.8 million, outraising McConnell, who brought in $7.4 million during that same period of time. She is backed by the Democratic establishment but has been criticized for being too soft on Trump.

Booker, who serves in Kentucky’s House of Representatives, is the youngest African-American lawmaker in the state at 35 years old, and has drawn on momentum from the recent George Floyd protests. Booker supports progressive policies such as Medicare-for-all and the Green New Deal.

Young Real Estate Investor Trounces Trump-Endorsed Candidate In North Carolina

In the Republican runoff for North Carolina’s 11th district, 24-year-old real estate investor Madison Cawthorn beat 62-year-old Trump-endorsed candidate Lynda Bennett. Cawthorn brought in 65.8% of the vote, while Bennett had 34.2%. The seat was vacated after Rep. Mark Meadows became Trump’s chief of staff.

Cawthorn is a Trump supporter and ran on a platform of promoting religious freedom and border security. If Cawthorn beats Democrat Moe Davis in November, he will be the youngest member in the House.

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