Primary Results: Ukraine Wasn’t on the Ballot, but Foreign Policy Was

Mar 18

Tuesday night’s primary elections delivered a series of competitive contests in Illinois, alongside largely non-competitive races in North Carolina, Arkansas, and Mississippi. While Ukraine itself was not directly on the ballot, broader questions of U.S. foreign policy—and America’s role in supporting its allies—remained central.

Overall, the results point to a positive outcome for advocates of a strong American foreign policy and continued support for Ukraine.

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Moderates Prevail in Key Democratic Primaries

The most consequential races unfolded in Illinois, where several high-profile Democratic primaries tested the strength of progressive challengers aligned with the party’s left wing. As noted by Axios, the “Squad” left suffered a significant setback across multiple contests.

In several races, challengers positioned themselves alongside the anti-Israel left and expressed skepticism toward U.S. military engagement abroad. Despite some close margins, moderate Democrats prevailed in every major contest.

These outcomes carry implications for Ukraine policy. Members of the Progressive Caucus previously voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included military assistance for Ukraine, and delayed the 2022 supplemental aid package while pushing for additional provisions related to Palestinian aid.

While few candidates made explicit statements about Ukraine, many signaled broader concerns about defense spending and U.S. global engagement. Several have also opposed military efforts to counter Iran, a key Russian partner in drone warfare.

A Positive Signal for Ukraine Policy

Taken together, the results suggest continued political space in Washington for policies supporting Ukraine—even if the issue itself was not a defining feature of these primaries.

The victories of moderate candidates indicate that, at least for now, skepticism toward U.S. alliances and military commitments has not translated into electoral success within the Democratic Party.

Republican Race Shows Stability

On the Republican side, the night featured only one notable primary challenge. Representative French Hill of Arkansas secured a decisive victory, defeating his opponent by more than 45 points.

This stability contrasts with the 2024 election cycle, when support for Ukraine emerged as a key dividing line in several Republican primaries, including races involving Representatives Don Bacon, Joe Wilson, and Tom Cole. In each of those contests, candidates backing continued support for Ukraine ultimately prevailed.

Looking Ahead

Although Ukraine was not directly debated in these races, the results reinforce an important trend: U.S. foreign policy—and America’s commitment to its allies—remains an underlying factor in electoral politics.

As the 2026 election cycle progresses, the composition of Congress will continue to shape the scope and durability of U.S. support for Ukraine.

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Your voice matters.

Sanctions on Russia must remain in place until there is full accountability for its aggression against Ukraine. Lifting them prematurely would weaken global security and reward violations of international law.

We urge policymakers to: