美国国家公共电台 NPR--10 races to watch Tuesday, led by Senate contests in Pennsylvania and North Carolina

10 races to watch Tuesday, led by Senate contests in Pennsylvania and North Carolina

Transcript¹

May's busy primary calendar continues Tuesday, with five states holding elections.

Primaries for open U.S. Senate seats in Pennsylvania and North Carolina headline Tuesday's races. Both battleground states present Democrats² with opportunities to pick up a Senate seat as they try to maintain narrow control of the chamber³.

Idaho, Oregon and Kentucky also have notable contests. Here are 10 races to watch:

1. Pennsylvania Senate

Thanks to the retirement⁴ of Republican Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania has an open Senate seat for the first time in a dozen years. And this race has had more than its share of plot twists — including two Donald Trump⁵ endorsements⁷ over the past nine months.

On the Republican side, after Trump's first preferred choice dropped out amid domestic abuse allegations, two new, high-profile candidates entered the primary: Celebrity⁸ doctor Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund CEO David McCormick, who had served in the George W. Bush administration and who's married to a former top adviser⁹ to Trump.

McCormick and Oz worked hard to win Trump's endorsement⁶. Oz won out, giving his campaign a boost, but that didn't stop McCormick from running ads featuring Trump praising the candidate. For months, polling has had the two jockeying for the top spot in the race, with Oz holding a very small lead since getting the nod from Trump.

But now, in the final weeks of the race, another candidate has surged into the top tier. Kathy Barnette — a Black GOP activist¹⁰ and author best known for her appearances as a commentator¹¹ on Fox News — has done it by proclaiming to be more MAGA than even Trump, and despite having just a fraction of the money to spend that the very wealthy McCormick and Oz have. Her rise has surprised political analysts¹², who suggest she may be benefitting from conservative discontent with Trump's choice of Dr. Oz.

For Democrats, the primary features a matchup between Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a former small-town mayor who backed Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential run, and Rep. Conor Lamb. The 6-foot-9 Fetterman has the persona of an authentic¹³ anti-politician, while Lamb has a reputation as a moderate who can win votes in places where Democrats have struggled in recent elections.

Also in the race is state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who is looking to become the first ever LGBTQ candidate elected to statewide office in Pennsylvania.

Despite expectations of a close contest, polls have consistently given Fetterman a lead of more than 20 points, with Lamb a distant second and Kenyatta even further back. (Fetterman suffered a stroke in recent days but said it wouldn't derail his campaign.)

Check out WESA Pittsburgh's guide for voters.

2. North Carolina Senate

This Senate seat is open thanks to another GOP retirement: Sen. Richard Burr, who announced in 2016 he would not seek another term. Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump briefly¹⁵ considered a Senate run in her native state, but decided¹⁶ not to pursue it. Nevertheless, the former president weighed in early, backing Rep. Ted¹⁴ Budd last June.

Helped by outside money, Budd has emerged ahead of Pat McCrory, a former North Carolina governor who gained national prominence¹⁷ when he signed the state's "bathroom bill" which targeted trans people and required people to choose bathrooms based on the sex listed on their birth certificate.

Whoever wins on the GOP side will likely face Cheri Beasley, who was the first Black woman to serve as chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme¹⁸ Court.

Here's what you need to know for North Carolina's primary from WFAE Charlotte.

3. Pennsylvania Governor

A far-right election denier wins GOP governor primary in swing state of Pennsylvania

NATIONAL

Mastriano, a Trump-backed election denier, leads Pennsylvania GOP field for governor

Just days before the primary, Trump endorsed¹⁹ Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano to be governor. Mastriano has peddled²⁰ Trump's election lies, and was present near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (He says he left as the event became violent.) Republicans have been fractured, with many concerned that Mastriano can't win statewide in November. Some other candidates in what started as a crowded field dropped out and have endorsed former Rep. Lou Barletta, but Mastriano's lead in polls and Trump's endorsement place him as the likely winner Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, the presumptive Democratic nominee²¹ is state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is already running against Mastriano's extremist messaging.

Read more from WHYY in Philadelphia.

4. Idaho Governor

Idaho Gov. Brad Little wins GOP primary over Trump's pick, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin

NATIONAL

Far-right challengers look to upset status quo in Idaho governor's primary

In Idaho, Republican Gov. Brad Little is facing a challenge from his Trump-backed lieutenant²² governor, Janice McGeachin. McGeachin is a former state legislator who battled with Little over COVID-19 restrictions²³.

Polling and fundraising show Little in the lead, but the primary puts McGeachin's ties to the far right on display in one of the most conservative states in the country.

Read more from Boise State Public Radio.

5. North Carolina's 11th Congressional District

GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn faces a crowded field of primary challengers in a district that's likely going to remain red in November. Cawthorn, who has Trump's support, has been involved in several scandals that have raised skepticism as to whether he can keep his seat.

In North Carolina, a winner needs to cross a 30% threshold to avoid a runoff.

Read more from WUNC.

6. North Carolina's 4th Congressional District

There are a several notable primaries Tuesday that show divides within the Democratic Party.

In North Carolina, the 4th District, which encompasses²⁴ the blue cities Durham and Chapel²⁵ Hill, is open after longtime Rep. David Price announced his retirement.

And it's become an expensive contest, with candidates like state Sen. Valerie Foushee, who is more moderate, and Durham County Commissioner²⁶ Nida Allam, who has received endorsements from Vermont Sen. Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Abortion²⁷ has risen as an issue after the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion on Roe²⁸ v. Wade²⁹. Allam, who's 28, has been open about her own abortion story.

Former American Idol³⁰ star Clay Aiken is also in the race.

Read more from WUNC.

7. Oregon's 6th Congressional District

Nine Democratic candidates are in the primary race for a new district in Oregon that has become the third most-expensive House Democratic primary in the country. Candidate Carrick Flynn has been drawing questions for funding he's getting from a political action committee backed by a cryptocurrency billionaire.

Find more in OPB's guide for voters.

8. Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District

Democratic Rep. John Yarmuth, who chairs the powerful House Budget Committee, is retiring from his seat, leaving seven Republican candidates and two Democrats trying to replace him. The district is expected to remain safely blue.

Read more in Louisville Public Media's guide for voters.

9. Oregon's 5th Congressional District

Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader is facing a progressive challenge from Jamie McLeod-Skinner, in a district that was recently redrawn and is considered a potential pickup³¹ opportunity for Republicans. Schrader is backed by President Biden.

Find more in OPB's guide for voters.

10. Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District

It could also be a tight race in November between whoever wins the Republican primary Tuesday night and incumbent³² Democratic Rep. Susan Wild. Former Lehigh County Commissioner Lisa Scheller, who nearly won in 2020 against Wild, appears to be in the lead but faces opposition³³ from business owner Kevin Dellicker.

Read more from WHYY in Philadelphia.

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1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

4 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

5 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

6 endorsement   

n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注

参考例句：

• We are happy to give the product our full endorsement.我们很高兴给予该产品完全的认可。
• His presidential campaign won endorsement from several celebrities.他参加总统竞选得到一些社会名流的支持。

7 endorsements   

n.背书( endorsement的名词复数 )；（驾驶执照上的）违章记录；（公开的）赞同；（通常为名人在广告中对某一产品的）宣传

参考例句：

• He must make much money on those tennis shoe endorsements he does. 他替那些网球鞋珍重广告，就赚了不少钱。 来自互联网
• But celebrity endorsements remain an important promotional tool for marketers. 尽管如此，邀明星助阵仍是营销人员重要的推广手段之一。 来自互联网

8 celebrity   

n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望

参考例句：

• Tom found himself something of a celebrity. 汤姆意识到自己已小有名气了。
• He haunted famous men, hoping to get celebrity for himself. 他常和名人在一起, 希望借此使自己获得名气。

9 adviser   

n.劝告者，顾问

参考例句：

• They employed me as an adviser.他们聘请我当顾问。
• Our department has engaged a foreign teacher as phonetic adviser.我们系已经聘请了一位外籍老师作为语音顾问。

10 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

11 commentator   

n.注释者，解说者；实况广播评论员

参考例句：

• He is a good commentator because he can get across the game.他能简单地解说这场比赛，是个好的解说者。
• The commentator made a big mistake during the live broadcast.在直播节目中评论员犯了个大错误。

12 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

13 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

14 ted   

vt.翻晒，撒，撒开

参考例句：

• The invaders gut ted the village.侵略者把村中财物洗劫一空。
• She often teds the corn when it's sunny.天好的时候她就翻晒玉米。

15 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

16 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

17 prominence   

n.突出；显著；杰出；重要

参考例句：

• He came to prominence during the World Cup in Italy.他在意大利的世界杯赛中声名鹊起。
• This young fashion designer is rising to prominence.这位年轻的时装设计师的声望越来越高。

18 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

19 endorsed   

vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品

参考例句：

• The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger. 委员会通过了主席提出的新方案，开始就可能进行的并购进行讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has broadly endorsed a research paper proposing new educational targets for 14-year-olds. 政府基本上支持建议对14 岁少年实行新教育目标的研究报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 peddled   

（沿街）叫卖( peddle的过去式和过去分词 )； 兜售； 宣传； 散播

参考例句：

• He has peddled the myth that he is supporting the local population. 他散布说他支持当地群众。
• The farmer peddled his fruit from house to house. 那个农民挨家挨户兜售他的水果。

21 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

22 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

23 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

24 encompasses   

v.围绕( encompass的第三人称单数 )；包围；包含；包括

参考例句：

• The job encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. 这项工作涉及的职责范围很广。
• Its conservation law encompasses both its magnitude and its direction. 它的守恒定律包括大小和方向两方面。 来自辞典例句

25 chapel   

n.小教堂，殡仪馆

参考例句：

• The nimble hero,skipped into a chapel that stood near.敏捷的英雄跳进近旁的一座小教堂里。
• She was on the peak that Sunday afternoon when she played in chapel.那个星期天的下午，她在小教堂的演出，可以说是登峰造极。

26 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

27 abortion   

n.流产，堕胎

参考例句：

• She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
• A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。

28 roe   

n.鱼卵；獐鹿

参考例句：

• We will serve smoked cod's roe at the dinner.宴会上我们将上一道熏鳕鱼子。
• I'll scramble some eggs with roe?我用鱼籽炒几个鸡蛋好吗？

29 wade   

v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉

参考例句：

• We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。
• We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

30 idol   

n.偶像，红人，宠儿

参考例句：

• As an only child he was the idol of his parents.作为独子，他是父母的宠儿。
• Blind worship of this idol must be ended.对这个偶像的盲目崇拜应该结束了。

31 pickup   

n.拾起，获得

参考例句：

• I would love to trade this car for a pickup truck.我愿意用这辆汽车换一辆小型轻便卡车。||The luck guy is a choice pickup for the girls.那位幸运的男孩是女孩子们想勾搭上的人。

32 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

33 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。