REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Primary elections were held across various states yesterday, and the results showed mixed messages. Are we kicking out all the washed-up career politicians, or are we still backing those with experience? (via Swampland, The Page)
Results from key primaries don’t stick to one narrative, but instead showed us the specific patterns of specific states — and the power of Tea Parties, Sarah Palin and even — yes — President Obama.
- In Colorado, Obama-backed Senate rookie Michael Bennet won the Democratic Senate primary, over Bill Clinton-backed Andrew Romanoff, former speaker of the Colorado House. TIME’s Mark Halperin called this win “a big sigh of relief for the White House.”
- The establishment lost on the Republican side in Colorado, with Weld County District Attorney and Tea Partier Ken Buck getting the vote over Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, who Swampland notes had a mismanaged campaign, even though John McCain stumped for her.
- Colorado’s GOP primary for governor saw newcomer Dan Maes win over former Rep. Scott McInnis.
- Georgia’s GOP governor’s race was too close to call. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, former Rep. Nathan Deal was a hair ahead of Secretary of State Karen Handel, whom Swampland calls a “Sarah Palin Mama Grizzly.” According to The Page, state law mandates a recount if the voting margin is less than one percent.
- Former Sen. Mark Dayton squeezed out a victory in the Democratic primary for Minnesota governor by 1500 votes. But his opponent, State House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher refuses to concede.
- In Connecticut, World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon body-slammed the competition, winning over Rep. Rob Simmons in the Republican primary to replace retiring Senator Chris Dodd.