With the November midterm elections three months away, attention is turning to the western United States, where a series of competitive congressional and statewide races are shaping up to play a critical role in determining control of the House of Representatives and key governorships.

Washington state recently concluded its primary, becoming the last mainland state west of the Rocky Mountains to do so. The focus is on the 3rd Congressional District, located just across the border from Portland, Oregon. Democratic incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who was narrowly elected in 2022 and represents a district that supported former President Donald Trump in 2024, will face Republican state Senate Minority Leader John Braun in the general election. Braun, a retired Navy captain, emerged as the Republican nominee after defeating Joe Kent, a conservative former CIA officer who had challenged Gluesenkamp Perez in previous elections. The race is highly competitive, with Democrats viewing the seat as essential to defending their majority aspirations, while Gluesenkamp Perez navigates balancing support from her progressive base and broader centrist appeal.

Another notable race in Washington is in the conservative central district formerly held by Rep. Dan Newhouse, who is retiring. Amanda McKinney, a Trump-endorsed Republican county commissioner, and Democrat John Duresky, a retired Air Force major, advanced to the general election. Newhouse was one of the few House Republicans to vote in favor of Trump’s first impeachment.

Across the West, four congressional races are rated as toss-ups by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. In Arizona, two Republican-held districts narrowly won by Trump in 2024 are prime Democratic targets. In the Phoenix area, Democrat Amish Shah, a physician and former state legislator, will challenge Republican Jay Feely, a former NFL player endorsed by Trump. In a Tucson suburban district, incumbent Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani faces Democrat JoAnna Mendoza, a former Marine.

California’s 22nd District is another battleground where Republican Rep. David Valadao seeks reelection against Democratic newcomer Randy Villegas in the Central Valley. Colorado’s 8th District, a newly created seat with a large Latino population extending north of Denver, features a contest between Republican Rep. Gabe Evans and Democrat State Rep. Manny Rutinel.

In Nevada, Republican Marta O’Donnell, backed by Trump, aims to unseat Democratic Rep. Susie Lee in a southern Clark County district that Trump also carried. The race is considered competitive but leans slightly Democratic, with Republicans hoping that high turnout for GOP Governor Joe Lombardo could boost their chances.

Additional competitive House races include two California districts rated “lean Democratic”: the 13th District in the Central Valley held by Democrat Adam Gray and the 48th District near San Diego, vacated by retiring Republican Darrell Issa. New Mexico and Utah also have competitive congressional contests, with Utah expected to gain a new seat that may favor Democrats, despite the state’s traditionally Republican delegation.

Several key statewide offices are on the ballot in the West as well. In Arizona, the governor’s race and other statewide contests have drawn national attention due to Republican candidates’ roles in contesting the 2020 presidential election results, raising questions about voter response to election denialism. Nevada’s gubernatorial race remains tight between incumbent GOP Governor Joe Lombardo and Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. In Oregon, Democrat Gov. Tina Kotek seeks reelection against Republican State Senator Christine Drazan in a race that Republicans hope to make competitive despite the state’s Democratic lean. Colorado’s open governor’s seat will be contested by Democrat Attorney General Phil Weiser and Republican Victor Marx, a ministry leader and former Marine whose candidacy has drawn scrutiny for controversial statements.

U.S. Senate contests in the West will also draw attention. Oregon’s Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley is favored to win a fourth term against Republican State Sen. David Brock Smith. Other Senate races include Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico, with incumbents from both parties defending their seats. In Idaho, the Democratic nominee recently withdrew, clearing the way for independent Todd Achilles, a former Democratic state lawmaker critical of both parties. Democratic strategists are pressing for similar candidacy withdrawals in Montana and South Dakota to avoid splitting the left-leaning vote, though only South Dakota’s Democratic nominee has stepped aside.

As campaigning intensifies over the coming months, these western races are poised to be crucial battlegrounds in shaping both congressional control and the political landscape of several states.