Washington (CNN) Progressive women dominated a slate of Democratic primaries Tuesday, winning races in Kentucky and Texas and giving Georgia the first black woman to ever be nominated for governor by a major political party.

The victories underscored some emerging realities of 2018's primary season: Female candidates -- of which Democrats have record numbers in House races -- have fared well. Political veterans' experience, meanwhile, has been a burden. And while Democratic voters have valued candidates' electability, the party's base, energized by opportunities to put checks on President Donald Trump, has shown little interest in centrists.

Tuesday's contests largely resulted in victories by the candidates Democrats had expected to emerge.

In Georgia, former state House Democratic leader Stacey Abrams made history, becoming the first black woman in the nation to clinch a major party's nomination for governor. She beat former state Rep. Stacey Evans, who was backed by moderates.

In Kentucky, a political newcomer -- former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath -- defeated one of the best-known figures in Kentucky politics, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, in the 6th District primary to take on Rep. Andy Barr.

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