As a result, Tuesday's outcomes in the presidential primaries are less about predicting who will be the eventual nominee, and more about gauging general election momentum eight months out from November.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump hold commanding leads in the polls of their parties' voters.
Perhaps even more exciting than the presidential primaries are several competitive down-ballot races with major implications for national politics.
Primaries in California's Senate race and North Carolina's gubernatorial contest are two that merit special attention.
In California, the battle to fill the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat is already the most expensive Senate race in the state's history.
Persons:
Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, Nikki Haley, Democratic Sen, Dianne Feinstein's, Adam Schiff, Roy Cooper
Organizations:
Biden, Republican, South Carolina Gov, California's Senate, North, Democratic, Gov, Democrats
Locations:
California's, California, North Carolina