Southwest
Trump, Biden face tests in final 2024 presidential primaries
After nearly five months and more than 100 primaries and caucuses, the 2024 presidential nominating season comes to a close this month.
Voters in Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota and Washington, D.C., head to the polls Tuesday for both presidential and state primaries. Voters in Iowa, which already held its presidential caucuses, will cast ballots in state primaries.
The White House nominating calendar will wrap up four days later, with Democratic caucuses in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands on June 8.
And while President Biden and former President Trump clinched the Democratic and Republican nominations nearly three months ago, there’s still some drama in the final contests.
WITH THE VERDICT IN AND HIS CRIMINAL TRIAL OVER, TRUMP IS ‘UNLEASHED’
President Biden and former President Trump (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson and Evan Vucci)
Tuesday’s Republicans primaries are the first since Trump was found guilty in his criminal trial in New York City, making history as the first former or current president to be convicted of felony crimes.
It’s also the first round of GOP presidential contests since Trump’s final rival for the nomination – former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley – said she would vote for Trump in the general election, after staying silent for months.
AFTER MONTHS OF SILENCE, WHAT NIKKI HALEY SAID ABOUT TRUMP
Haley, who suspended her campaign in early March, has continued to grab up to 20% of the vote in Republican presidential primaries even though she’s essentially a zombie candidate. Haley will appear on the primary ballot in New Mexico.
The president will likely continue to face a protest vote through the “uncommitted” option on the ballot, as part of protests against his support for Israel in its war with Hamas in Gaza.
Tuesday’s primaries set up battle for Senate majority
Three states are holding Senate primaries that will set up general election showdowns that may decide whether the Republicans win back control of the chamber.
In reliably red Montana, Tim Sheehy is the clear favorite to win the GOP Senate nomination and challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in November.
Tester, whom the GOP considers extremely vulnerable in a state Trump won by 16-points four years ago, is being heavily targeted by Republicans.
Sheehy – a decorated military veteran and successful businessman who is backed by both Trump and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is the Senate GOP’s campaign arm – is facing off against two rivals on Tuesday.
Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and Republican Montana Senate candidate Tim Sheehy (Kevin Dietsch/Louise Johns)
It’s been 22 years since a Republican won a Senate election in New Mexico, a one-time swing state that nowadays leans blue.
The last GOP politician to win was Sen. Pete Domenici, who was re-elected to a sixth term in 2002.
Fast-forward 22 years and now his daughter, businesswoman Nella Domenici, aims to end the losing streak.
The younger Domenici, who has years of experience in the finance industry, including serving as chief financial officer at Bridgewater Associates, will use her powerful political brand and ample name recognition in New Mexico as she challenges Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich, who is running in November for a third six-year term.
Neither candidate faces a serious challenge in Tuesday’s primaries.
SIX SENATE SEATS THE GOP AIMS TO FLIP IN NOVEMBER’S ELECTIONS
It’s been over a half century since a Republican won a Senate election in blue state New Jersey.
But Republicans believe they have a shot this time around.
A major reason for the optimism is the prospect of a three-way race in New Jersey. Longtime Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who is on trial for federal corruption charges, is not running for re-election as a Democrat. On Monday, Menendez filed a petition with nearly 2,500 signatures to run for re-election as an independent. Polls indicate the embattled senator’s independent bid would potentially take votes away from likely Democratic Senate nominee Rep. Andy Kim.
Sen. Bob Menendez departs the Senate floor in the Capitol, Sept. 28, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Kim, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, faces labor leader Patricia Campos-Medina and activist Lawrence Hamm in the primary.
The Republican primary will be a test of Trump’s immense clout in contested GOP primaries.
Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner was endorsed by Trump a couple of weeks ago at a large rally the former president held in Wildwood, New Jersey.
Real estate developer and hotelier Curtis Bashaw is the leading fundraiser in the Republican nomination race.
He also enjoys an advantage on the primary ballot, as he has the county line in two-thirds of the state’s 21 counties.
New Jersey has long allowed counties to print ballots that include a prominent party line, which are widely viewed as helping candidates with establishment backing. Kim sued in federal court to overturn the county lines in the Democratic primary. But the GOP county lines were upheld.
Navy veteran Albert Harshaw and former Tabernacle Deputy Mayor Justin Murphy are also running in the Republican Senate primary.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
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Los Angeles, Ca
Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor
A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.
He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.
At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota.
She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.
Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.
“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.
In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.
On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.
“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”
“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”
Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
Los Angeles, Ca
Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
Los Angeles, Ca
Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
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