Democrats in Florida chose opponents for Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Marco Rubio in contests that will be closely watched, while a House race in New York saw a prominent Democrat defeated.

A Democratic victory in a special election in New York’s 19th district may be seen as a bellwether of how the Supreme Court’s recent landmark abortion decision will affect the midterms.

Here are five key takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries.

1. Abortion ‘on the Ballot’ in New York

Democratic congressional candidate Pat Ryan defeated Republican Marc Molinaro in a special election in New York’s 19th district to succeed former Representative Antonio Delgado, who is now New York’s lieutenant governor.

Ryan, executive of Ulster County, had made abortion rights a major part of his campaign and one of his yard signs read: “Choice Is on the Ballot.” He defeated Molinaro, executive of neighboring Dutchess County, with 51.9 percent of votes to Molinaro’s 48.1 with 95 percent of votes counted.

The race may be seen as the first major test of abortion as a motivating issue for voters following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which found that there is no constitutional right to an abortion.

2. A Breakthrough for Gen Z

Maxwell Frost looks set to make history after he won the Democratic primary in Florida’s 10th congressional district on Tuesday in a reliably blue district that will likely see him elected to Congress.

Frost, a 25-year-old progressive activist, is one of the first members of Generation Z to run for Congress and won his primary with 34.7 percent of the vote with 99 percent of votes counted. His nearest rival, Randolph Bracy, had 24.7 percent.

Gen Z is considered to be people born between 1997 and 2012, according to the Pew Research Center, and this is the first year members of that generation are old enough to run for Congress.

3. Charlie Crist Will Face Ron DeSantis

Democrats in Florida have chosen Representative Charlie Crist to take on Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in November’s gubernatorial election.

Crist defeated state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried with 59.7 percent to Fried’s 35.3 percent with 95 percent of votes counted.

He previously served as governor from 2007 to 2011 as a Republican before switching parties, while Fried is the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida.

DeSantis enjoys a high profile nationally and is considered a rising Republican star and potential future presidential candidate.

Crist made reference to DeSantis’ possible presidential ambitions following his victory on Tuesday, saying: “this guy wants to be president of the United States of America and everybody knows it.”

“However, when we defeat him on 8 November, that show is over,” Crist said.

Florida Democrats also chose Representative Val Demings to run against Republican Senator Marco Rubio in November. Demings won 84 percent of the primary vote.

4. Nadler Defeats Maloney

In a closely watched primary contest in New York’s newly redrawn 12th district, Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler has defeated Representative Carolyn Maloney.

Because of redistricting, Nadler, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, was competing against Maloney, chair of the House Oversight Committee, with one of the prominent Democrats sure to lose.

Nadler triumphed on Tuesday, winning 55.4 percent of the vote to Maloney’s 24.4 percent. Suraj Patel, who had challenged Maloney in 2020, won 19.2 percent.

5. Trump’s Mixed Endorsements

Former President Donald Trump had offered mock endorsements ahead of the New York primaries to Representative Maloney and Dan Goldman, the chief investigator during Trump’s first impeachment.

Goldman and Maloney both rejected Trump’s endorsement and it appears unlikely his backhanded support influenced their races.

While Maloney was defeated by Nadler in the new 12th district, Goldman won in the new 10th district despite a crowded field. He had 25.8 percent with 95 percent of votes counted, followed by state Assembly woman Yuh-Line Niou on 23.7 percent.

Representative Mondaire Jones was beaten into third place, winning just 18.2 percent. He currently represents New York’s 17th district but sought election in the new 10th district following redistricting.

Update 08/24/22 09.55a.m. E.T.: This article was updated to include a photo of Maxwell Frost.