Midterm Roundup
Hey, anybody like primary results, A LOT of primary results? Rhode Island Republicans avoid certain doom, Bernie Sanders is too cool for school / the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, a fugitive felon living in Italy pulls 36% in MN, and the first Muslim is on his way to congress as Karl Rove scrambles for a way to take advantage. It’s the dessert course of Primary Blowout Buffet 2006, and the results will be delicious.
Republican:
Religious right activist Len Munsil ran away with the GOP nomination, defeating his rival, financial consultant Don Goldwater (former Senator Barry’s nephew), 49.4% to 40.7%. Munsil will now be a distinct underdog against popular Governor Janet Napolitano (D), who won renomination unopposed, but expect this race to be bitter and heated nonetheless, as Munsil will focus on issues like illegal immigration and abortion (Napolitano supports a woman’s right to choose).
Democratic:
Attorney Ellen Simon took 52.8% of the vote to snag the Democratic nomination and the chance to face Representative Rick Renzi (R) in November. Marketing executive Susan Friedman finished 2nd with 18.3%, while businessman Bob Donahue took 15.5%, radio journalist Mike Caccioppoli took 9.5%, and retired dentist Vic McKerlie took 3.9%. Simon has a very tall order now in the form of Renzi.
AZ-08
Former state Representative Randy Graf muscled out state Representative Steve Huffman for the GOP nomination, 43.2% to 37.2%. Graf of course is the hardliner conservative, while the moderate Huffman had the backing of retiring Representative Jim Kolbe (R) and the national GOP. The NRCC even ran ads for Huffman prior to the primary, but clearly to no avail. Huffman and the GOP can thank former state Republican Party chairman Mike Hellon for their defeat, as the moderate Hellon took 12.2% of the votes, presumably mostly from voters who would’ve otherwise gone with Huffman.
Former state Senator Gabrielle Giffords, that’s right the one whose foxiness the Midterm Roundup believes should totally override and invalidate out of hand all considerations of her politics or policy positions, defeated retired TV news anchorwoman Patty Weiss, 54.1% to 31.3%. Airline pilot Jeff Latas finished 3rd with 5.9%, while 78-year-old Francine Shacter garnered only .9% of the vote. The centrist Giffords now has a very realistic shot at taking this seat against the ultra-conservative Randy Graf (R) in what will undoubtedly be one of the most intensely competitive races in the country.
DE-SEN
Republican:
Attorney and law professor Jan Ting, the state’s GOP-endorsed candidate, edged out airline pilot Mike Protack, 42.5% to 40.1%. Protack however took the nomination for sweetest ‘stache in an unprecedented landslide, winning 106.4% of the vote. Religious right activist Christine O’Donnell came in a distant 3rd with 17.4%. She did not run for the mustache nomination. Ting will now face Senator Tom Carper (D) in November, against whom he has basically no chance.
DE-AT-LARGE
Democratic:
Attorney Dennis Spivack won a convincing victory over former teacher and children’s rights advocate Karen Hartley-Nagle, 60.3% to 39.7%. Spivack will be the underdog against Representative Mike Castle (R) in November.
MARYLAND
Republican:
The Wig Man pulls off the upset of the century!!! Actually no, the Midterm Roundup just wanted to see those words in print. In reality, Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R) krush grooved to the Republican nomination with 87.2% of the vote. Detective John Kimble took only 2.8%, but in the process was able to stop this man from harming any more children. As for The Wig Man, he took 2% of the vote. The Midterm Roundup will keep its eagle eye on this one to make sure there wasn’t some kind of tallying error and that 2% is really supposed to be 92%, or like, 200%.
Democratic:
Representative Ben Cardin (D) outlasted former Representative Kweisi Mfume, 45.8% to 37.7% (with 93% of precincts reporting when the Midterm Roundup went to press). Businessman Josh Rales finished 3rd with 5.4%, while none of the 15 other candidates took more than 2%. WaPo has more on the Maryland Senate race with Md. Democrats Are Looking Good, Which Has Them A Bit Worried.
Republican:
Marketing company owner John White snuck past physician Gary Applebaum for the Republican nomination, 38.4% to 33%. Businessman Scott Smith finished in 3rd with 8.1%.
Democratic:
Baltimore attorney John Sarbanes, son of retiring Senator Paul Sarbanes, rode his name recognition to victory in a crowded field, with 31.7% of the vote. Former Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Peter Beilenson and state Senator Paula Hollinger finished 2nd and 3rd with 25.5% and 21.5%, respectively.
Democratic:
This baby was too close to call as the Midterm Roundup went to press. Representative Albert Wynn (D) held a slim lead throughout the wee hours but by 7:30 am East Coast time attorney Donna Edwards had pulled ahead 48.1% to 47.7%, with 75% of precincts reporting. Whoever ends up taking this one will have no trouble winning in November.
MINNESOTA
In the gubernatorial race, Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) cruised with 89% of the primary vote while state Attorney General Mike Hatch (D) took 74.2% over state Senator Becky Lourey (23.3%) to face Pawlenty in a competitive race in November. Former state Finance Commissioner Peter Hutchinson won the Independence Party nomination, and while he isn’t a threat to win the governorship his candidacy could be a complicating factor in the potentially tight race between Pawlenty and Hatch.
In the open-seat Senate race, Representative Mark Kennedy (R) and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar (D) seized their respective nominations, both with over 90% of the vote, setting up a barnburner for November.
Republican:
Hydrologist and civil engineer Obi Sium got a frisky challenge from dentist and fugitive felon Jack Shepard. Shepard is hiding in Italy right now since he’ll be arrested if he sets foot in Minnesota’s 4th district ever again, but he still managed to win 35.8% of the vote against Sium. An admirably plucky showing by any estimation. Sium is now a huge underdog against Representative Betty McCollum (D), who won renomination unopposed.
Democratic:
State Representative Keith Ellison (D) is set to become the first Muslim member of the United States congress. Ellison took 41% of the vote, defeating outgoing Representative Martin Sabo’s Chief of Staff Mike Erlandson (31%), former state Senator Ember Reichgott Junge (21%), and Minneapolis City Councilman Paul Ostrow (5%). Ellison still has to win in November, but management consultant Alan Fine (R) is not expected to wage a serious campaign in this heavily Democratic district. The Nation’s John Nichols has more on Ellison and his affinity with the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NH-01
Representative Jim Bradley (R) predictably cruised to victory over community activist Michael Callis, 86% to 14%.
Rochester City Democratic Chair Carol Shea-Porter pulled off the upset of the night, defeating state House Minority Leader Jim Craig, 54% to 35%. The Seacoast Online has a great picture of the candidate’s reaction, as she and her friends pull off the celebration trifecta: the power clap, the agape lean-back, and the beer-in-hand toothy grin. Shea-Porter will be the underdog against Bradley, but in a blue state and an anti-Republican environment, anything is possible. (P.S. Good call, reader bloomingpol!)
NH-02
6-term Representative Charlie Bass (R) won renomination easily with 75% of the vote over Berlin Mayor Bob Danderson (14%) and author Mary Maxwell (11%). With the district leaning more Democratic in recent years, Bass could face a serious challenge from his 2004 opponent, attorney Paul Hodes (D), who took the Democratic nomination unopposed.
NEW YORK
Democratic:
Attorney General Eliot Spitzer squeaked by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, 80.77% to 19.23%. Suozzi needed a miracle here, and didn’t come close to getting one. Spitzer now faces state Assembly Minority Leader John Faso (R), who was unopposed for the GOP nomination.
Republican:
Former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer defeated former Reagan administration Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary K.T. McFarland, 60.19% to 39.81%.
Democratic:
Hillary Clinton wins!… her $20 bet with Eliot Spitzer over who would win their primary by a larger landslide. Senator Clinton brushed liberal activist Jonathan Tasini off her pantsuit shoulder, 83% to 17%. NY Times has more with Spitzer and Clinton Win in N.Y. Primary.
Democratic:
New York City Councilwoman Yvette Clarke – not the Representative’s son, not the lone white candidate – emerged from this 4-way fracas with the nomination and with it the virtual guarantee of assuming the seat in November. Clarke took 31.2% over New York City Councilman David Yassky (the white guy), who pulled in 26.24%. State Senator Carl Andrews won 22.93%. And HMO administrator and former local school board official Chris Owens, the son of retiring Representative Major Owens (D), brought up the rear with 19.63%.
Democratic:
John Hall busted out his old Orleans records and softly rocked the night away to celebrate a convincing win over the Democratic Party-endorsed lawyer Judy Aydelott, 48.72% to 26.89%. High school principal Ben Shuldiner took 15.8% and political fundraising consultant Darren Rigger took 8.59%. Hall will face a tough uphill battle against Representative Sue Kelly (R) in November. But for right now, the Midterm Roundup is going to just sit back and savor this one, real mellow like. Dance with meeeeeee, I want to be your partner. Can't you seeeeeee, the music is just starting. Night is falling, and I am falling. Dance with meeeeeee.
RI-SEN
It’s over for the Laffey dream, it’s all over. When the smoke cleared away Senator Lincoln Chafee (R) ultimately outlasted his conservative rival, 54.2% to 45.8%. Bully for the Republican Main Street Partnership, chilly for the Club for Growth. For much, much more…
Chafee staves off challenger (ProJo)
M. Charles Bakst: Senate race: A brand name endures (ProJo)
Chafee beats challenger in Republican Senate primary (AP)
Chafee Inherited Father's Seat, Legacy (AP)
In Setback for Democrats, Incumbent Wins Republican Senate Primary (NYT)
The Chafee Victory: What Now? (National Journal’s Chuck Todd)
Moderate GOP Senator Beats Conservative Challenger in R.I. (WaPo)
Rhode Island: National GOP Helps Secure Chafee Win (The Fix)
Chafee wins in pivotal R.I. race (Wash Times)
Chafee Survives in Rhode Island, But November Test Remains (CQ)
State Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse let his Republican buddies do all the sweating as he loped to the Democratic nomination with 82% of the vote. Electrical engineer Chris Young took 10% and USMC veteran and business appraiser Carl Sheeler finished with 8%. Unfortunately for Whitehouse he now has a serious race on his hands against Senator Lincoln Chafee. While polls indicated he would have crushed Laffey, the RI-SEN race is now a tossup.
RI-02
Despite taking heat for his pro-life stance, Representative Jim Langevin (D) was able to stave off a fierce primary challenge from college professor Jennifer Lawless, 62% to 38%. Langevin faces no Republican opposition in November.
VERMONT
Republican:
Businessman Richard Tarrant coasted to the GOP nomination over retired Air Force Colonel Greg Parke, 64% to 31%. Cris Ericson, the curious Republican/Marijuana candidate, won herself a nickel bag, 5%. Tarrant is expected to run a fierce and expensive race against Bernie Sanders, but he’ll be running from behind.
Democratic:
Democratic nominations? We don’t need no stinking Democratic nominations! Representative Bernie Sanders (I) won the Democratic primary with 94 PERCENT of the freaking vote and then promptly informed Democrats thanks, but no thanks. With Sanders running as an independent there won’t be a Democrat on the ballot in November, which was in fact the Democratic Party’s plan all along, as Sanders – who has pledged to align with the Democrats in the Senate – will now have only Republican Richard Tarrant with whom to compete for votes in November. None of the actual Democrats in the primary – former Northfield Village Trustee Larry Drown, marketing consultant Craig Hill, civil engineer Peter Moss, and former U.S. postal worker Louis Thabault – won more than 2% of the vote.
Meanwhile Joe Lieberman just gazed forlornly at his newspaper and mumbled to himself “God, I would’ve killed for that nomination.”
Republican:
State Adjutant General Martha Rainville cruised to the nomination as expected over state Senator Mark Shepard, 72% to 28%. Rainville now faces state Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Welch (D), who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, in what should be a spirited race. Welch has raised almost twice as much money as Rainville and the state certainly trends Democratic. But Rainville is a strong enough candidate to make this one competitive.
WI-SEN
Democratic:
Senator Herb Kohl (D) won renomination easily over nominal challenger, activist Ben Masel, 85.4% to 14.6%.
WI-08
Republican:
State Assembly Speaker John Gard rolled to the nomination over state Assemblywoman Terri McCormick, 70.8% to 29.2%.
Democratic:
Physician Steve Kagen took the nomination with 46.7% of the vote while his challenger split up the remainder – 29.2% for business consultant Jamie Wall and 24.1% for former Brown County Executive and De Pere Mayor Nancy Nusbaum. This open seat race to replace retiring Representative Mark Green (R) will now be expressly targeted by both parties. Kagen is a self-funded millionaire, who already put over $1 million into his primary campaign. But the race pits a first-time candidate in Kagen against a 19-year veteran of state politics in Gard.
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