GOP Primaries: Hogan Wins in Maryland, Justice in West Virginia

On Tuesday, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan won the Republican nomination for that state's US Senate race, and Gov. Jim Justice did the same in West Virginia. Associated Press (LR: 3 CP: 5)
Hogan, a two-term governor, will face Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, who's looking to become the state's first Black female US Senator. NPR Online News
Hogan has publicly criticized former Pres. Donald Trump — the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee — and he has said he never voted for him. He also said he won't vote for Trump or Democratic Pres. Joe Biden this year. Blaze Media
Justice is a heavy favorite in deep-red West Virginia to turn the seat Republican, replacing retiring Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin — who was known for winning in his state by holding numerous conservative opinions that differed from those of his party. Associated Press (LR: 3 CP: 5)
Justice was elected governor as a Democrat in 2016 but switched to Republican in 2017. Trump endorsed him last year. Blaze Media
Democrats currently hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate and are defending 23 of 34 open seats. Republicans look at West Virginia, as well as Ohio and Montana, as states they have a strong chance of picking up. FOX News (LR: 4 CP: 4)

Republican narrative:

Republicans are setting themselves up well to retake the Senate majority. Hogan is a Trump critic who's popular on both sides of the political aisle, and Justice has Trump's seal of approval but doesn't pander to the former president's whims or focus much on the party's culture-war issues. These two nominees show the GOP is more than just Trump.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Democratic narrative:

Democrats will have their hands full maintaining control of the Senate, but don't be fooled by some GOP nominees' differences with Trump. It's imperative for Democrats to do whatever possible to make sure a second Trump term doesn't come with a Republican Senate willing to rubber stamp his sweeping policy changes, regardless of how independent some Republicans claim to be.
AXIOS.COM

Nerd narrative:

There's a 74% chance that the GOP will control the Senate after the 2024 elections, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
METACULUS (LR: 3 CP: 3)