The Wolverine State lives up to its tradition of feisty primaries today with an important Senate contest and several House races to watch.

The races echo prevalent themes in GOP primary battles throughout the country: the proliferation of third-party spending, upstart tea party challengers and incumbency as both a pro and a con. Additionally, the politics of race and the state’s devastated economy loom large in two House districts around downtown Detroit.

Republicans controlled the redraw of the Congressional map in Michigan, which lost a House seat because of reapportionment. The GOP used the power of the pen to solidify its seats gained in 2010, plus reconstruct the Detroit-area House seats.

The new boundaries paved the way for the dean of the Congressional Black Caucus to face the toughest primary of his career, as well as pit two junior House Members against each other.

Polls close at 8 p.m. EST in most of the Wolverine State, according to the Michigan secretary of state’s office. Some of the precincts in the state’s Upper Peninsula will close at 9 p.m. EST. Here are the races worth watching tonight: