Voters Cast Ballots in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina Primaries

On June 9, voters cast ballots for primaries in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina as Republican lawmakers advanced immigration enforcement funding, with NBC News describing that "The House this afternoon approved the Senate-passed $70 billion bill" to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol through the end of President Donald Trump’s term.

“Maine is one of four states where primary voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, and it has one of the most closely watched races in the country, as Democrat seeks to lock up the nomination to take on incumbent GOP Sen”

CBS News

NBC News said the measure now heads to the White House for Trump’s expected signature, while CBS News framed the day as part of a broader set of primary contests in Maine and South Carolina, with Nevada and North Dakota also holding primaries.

CBS News

In Maine, NBC Boston said the state’s primary centered on high-profile races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and governor, noting that Republican Sen. Susan Collins was unopposed for renomination to a sixth term and that Graham Platner led the Democratic field.

NBC Boston also reported that polls close at 8 p.m., but Maine uses a ranked-choice voting system, meaning results might not be known for days, and USA Today added that Maine’s ranked-choice tabulations are expected to be completed before the Juneteenth holiday.

In South Carolina, NBC News said polls closed at 7 p.m. ET as voters chose nominees for governor, Senate and several congressional seats, with Trump backing Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the crowded Republican race for governor.

NBC News reported that Trump tapped Bill Pulte to take over as acting director of national intelligence, writing on Truth Social: "William Pulte, who is working closely with Tulsi Gabbard, will be taking over as Acting Director of National Intelligence on Friday, June 19th,".

NBC News tied the move to a looming fight over surveillance authority, saying the push to renew FISA Section 702 was hitting roadblocks and divisions, with the DNI overseeing "Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act".

CNN

The same NBC News live updates described opposition to Pulte’s appointment from Democrats, including Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who said Pulte’s "only relevant experience is as a lapdog of the president."

USA Today, meanwhile, highlighted the political context around the primaries, including South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace’s bid for governor facing a roadblock after she joined House Democrats to compel the release of Justice Department files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

NBC News also said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., criticized the timing and experience of the appointment, adding that Pulte was "not fit to be DNI," and that the timing "couldn't have been worse."

As Maine’s Senate primary approached, CBS News described Democrat Graham Platner seeking the nomination to take on incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins despite a "recent string of scandals," and it said Platner expressed confidence heading into Tuesday’s primary.

“🗳️ 9 races to watch in Maine, South Carolina & Nevada On June 9, Maine's U”

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CBS News reported that Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna defended Platner while drawing a line on violence, saying, "if there were evidence of violence or sexual assault, he would not support Platner."

The same CBS News account said Platner acknowledged struggling with PTSD and alcohol during what he called a "very dark period of my life," and it described how the allegations followed other personal controversies including a tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol.

KOMO reported that Platner cleared the field in the Democratic primary ahead of Tuesday’s election and would face Collins in November, while also noting that the race is likely to draw significant outside spending from allied groups and national parties.

NPR added that the outcome of the pivotal Maine Senate race could hinge on whether voters value Collins’ clout and ability to secure federal dollars over Platner’s call to upend a political system, and it said the presumptive Democratic nominee is Graham Platner facing a series of controversies.