A look ahead at the key events leading the news agenda next week, from the team at Foresight News. Delivered to your inbox on Fridays.
Leading the week
The primary season continues with elections in Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas and Texas on Tuesday (May 24).
In Georgia, look out for the Republican gubernatorial primary where incumbent Brian Kemp faces a primary challenge from Trump-endorsed former Senator David Perdue. The former president turned against Kemp after he refused to help overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, though with Perdue severely lagging in the polls this could mark another failure for the party’s so-called kingmaker. Notably, former Vice President Mike Pence, widely considered to be a likely 2024 presidential candidate, is headlining a rally with Kemp on the eve of the election (May 23) in a marked split with his former boss. All signs point to a closely-watched rematch between Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams this November.
Meanwhile, a competitive GOP primary is taking place in the race to take on Democrat Raphael Warnock, who is up for re-election this year having defeated former Sen. Kelly Loeffler in last year’s special election. Trump-endorsed Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker leads in the polls, despite facing repeated allegations of domestic violence and stalking. Walker, who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, has been called on by his own party to address the allegations so as not to risk jeopardizing Republican prospects come November.
Also look out for the 14th Congressional District, where controversial Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene faces a host of primary challengers, and the race for Secretary of State, where incumbent Republican Brad Raffensperger faces Trump-supported Congressman Jody Hice.
Meanwhile, in Alabama, keep an eye on the Republican primary for the Senate seat being vacated by Richard Shelby. His former aide Katie Boyd Britt leads in the polls, though the race is likely to head to a run-off (on June 21), with Britt facing either Congressman Mo Brooks, who is being investigated by the January 6 committee, or former pilot Mike Durant.
In Arkansas, former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the favorite to win the Republican gubernatorial primary to replace term-limited Asa Hutchinson. She is likely to face Democrat Dr. Chris Jones in the general election.
Finally, don’t forget about the run-offs taking place in Texas: notable races include the 28th District, where Congressman Henry Cuellar faces his progressive former intern Jessica Cisneros, and the race for Attorney General, where incumbent Ken Paxton faces the nephew and grandson of former Presidents George P. Bush.
Away from the primaries, on Friday (May 27) Donald Trump addresses the National Rifle Association’s annual leadership forum alongside Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Governor Greg Abbott and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. In the wake of the Buffalo mass shooting, in which ten people were killed, Trump may use the opportunity to defend the gun industry and refute calls to tighten gun control laws in response to the deadly attack.
Looking abroad
Following a two-year hiatus, some of the world’s most powerful people descend on the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos-Klosters for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. The ramifications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will dominate discussions, starting on Monday (May 23) when President Volodymyr Zelensky will deliver a keynote address from Kyiv. In solidarity with Ukraine, not a single Russian official or business leader has been invited this year, despite the historically close ties between organizers and Russia. Nevertheless, there’s plenty to look out for on the subject.
Highlights on Tuesday (May 24) include special addresses from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, followed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday (May 25). The closing day agenda on Thursday (May 26) includes interventions from boxer-turned-Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Beyond Ukraine, keep an eye out for discussions with new Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (May 23), IAEA chief Rafael Grossi (May 24), Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin (May 25), and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (May 26).