Thread: Primary Roundup: Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio

May 4, 2010, 10:05 pm
Primary Roundup

By KATE PHILLIPS
10:20 p.m. |Wrapping It Up So here’s where we are tonight:

The three top Senate primaries have all been called. In Indiana, former Senator Dan Coats won the Republican primary, despite a strong challenge from Marlin Stutzman, a favorite of conservative Republicans like Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Mike Huckabee.

The guns have already been drawn in this Senate contest for November. Democrats are intent on painting Mr. Coats as a Washington insider/lobbyist whose ties to the Hoosier state have long been broken. And Republicans are already aiming at the record of Representative Brad Ellsworth, the presumptive Democratic Senate nominee, aligning him with liberal positions on health care and President Obama’s agenda.

In Ohio, the contest was on the Democratic side, and to some extent, this race had been kind of sleepy between Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Jennifer Brunner, the secretary of state. Mr. Fisher won the race, but there’s a long, hard duel ahead for the seat to replace Senator George Voinovich, the Republican who’s retiring.

Neither Democrat raised a lot of money, and as national Republicans point out tonight, their nominee, former Congressman Rob Portman (also a former Bush official), has amassed an sizable war chest. Here’s what Senator John Cornyn, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, highlighted in the money department:

Fisher’s troubling primary performance is underscored by the fact that he raised just $551,000 during the first quarter of 2010 and currently has less than $1 million cash-on-hand. In contrast, Rob Portman raised an impressive $2.2 million during the first quarter alone and his campaign war chest has more than $7.6 million on hand.

In North Carolina, the other state with a big Senate primary, a runoff was declared on the Democratic side. Elaine Marshall, the secretary of state, and Cal Cunningham, an Iraq vet and former state lawmaker, each had big state backers. Ms. Marshall came the closest to the 40-percent hurdle to clear the state’s threshold to avoid a runoff, but not close enough. The two will face off again on June 22.

A few themes did emerge in the races today. In reading articles from the regional papers in these states, voters repeatedly expressed dismay at the economy and at job losses. Expect the new health care law to repeatedly pop up on both sides, especially given the confusion surrounding it that has left voters rather perplexed, once again, about what’s in it for them, and what’s not. If you read any of the articles delving into primary voters’ views from these three states, you’ll see the health care vibes emerging.

On another level, Tea Party candidates did not win out in some of the bigger races, but they sure gave a few Congressional incumbents a bit of a skip in their heart rates. Those hard-fought battles also underscore what everyone considers to be an anti-incumbency mood rippling throughout the country.


10:16 p.m. |National Republicans on Ohio Senate PrimaryBack-to-back statements here from both parties. On former Congressman Rob Portman’s easy slide to the G.O.P. nomination for the Senate, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Senator John Cornyn, released this statement:

The contrast in this campaign could not be more clear for voters in Ohio this November. Lee Fisher was hand-picked by Washington Democrats because they know he will serve as another rubber stamp for President Obama and Harry Reid’s deeply unpopular agenda if he is elected to the U.S. Senate. Under Fisher’s watch as the state’s Jobs Czar, Ohio has suffered from enormous unemployment. Meanwhile, Fisher has eagerly endorsed the Democrats’ massive health spending bill, failed stimulus debacle, job-killing card check legislation, and burdensome cap-and-tax bill.

In contrast, Rob Portman recognizes that our nation is moving in the wrong direction, and he will work tirelessly to restore the checks-and-balances that the families, seniors, and job creators in Ohio deserve. Voters are tired of the Democrats’ failed tax-and-spend policies, which is why we are confident that they will elect Rob Portman to the U.S. Senate this November.

10:10 p.m. |National Democrats on Ohio Senate PrimarySenator Robert Menendez, the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, released this statement about Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher’s win in the Buckeye State:

Congratulations to Lee Fisher on winning a hard-fought primary battle. Both Lee Fisher and Jennifer Brunner deserve credit for waging thoughtful, aggressive campaigns. We now begin a general election contest where the contrasts could not be any clearer. Lee Fisher is focused on creating jobs, holding Wall Street accountable, and stopping the excesses of oil and insurance companies. Rob Portman created the economic mess we are in, and will do even more to protect corporate interests like the big banks, oil companies, and insurance companies – all at the expense of Ohio’s middle-class. In November, Ohioans will face a choice between returning to the failed economic policies of the past with Rob Portman or continuing down a path of economic progress with Lee Fisher.

10:05 p.m. |Ellsworth’s DistristIn the Republican primary for the 9th Congressional District seat held by Representative Brad Ellsworth, who is now running as the Democratic candidate for the Senate, Larry Bucshon, has emerged as the winner.

9:58 p.m. |Ohio Senate Democratic Primary WinLt. Gov. Lee Fisher has been named the Democratic nominee for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator George Voinovich, who is retiring. The A.P. calls the race for Mr. Fisher, who had been vying for the nomination against Jennifer Brunner, the secretary of state.

9:47 p.m. |N.C. NotesEarlier today, the Hotline offered a little crib sheet about goings-on in the North Carolina Senate race. Cal Cunningham put up two TV ads, Ms. Marshall one. But overall, their message was aimed at the Republican incumbent, Senator Burr. It will be interesting to see how that tactic changes for the runoff, and how much money each Democratic candidate will have to spend toward that end.

The Hotline also highlighted endorsements — while the National Women’s Political Caucus endorsed Ms. Marshall, Emily’s List didn’t take sides in this race.

9:39 p.m. |North Carolina Senate Democratic RunoffElaine Marshall, the secretary of state, garnered about 37 percent of the vote in North Carolina’s Democratic primary for the seat held by Senator Richard Burr, the Republican. While she bested Cal Cunningham, an Iraq war veteran and former state senator who seemed to be the favorite of national Democrats in this contest, she didn’t clear the 40 percent hurdle required to avoid a runoff. The A.P. calls a runoff, which will be held June 22. Lawyer Ken Lewis placed third.

9:32 p.m. |Indiana’s IncumbentRepresentative Dan Burton, the Republican incumbent, appears to have survived a very stiff challenge from Luke Messer, and this was a five-way race. It’s been very close all night in the G.O.P. primary for the 5th Congressional District. Also, just based on the early returns and the number of precincts reporting, it doesn’t look like former Representative Mike Sodrel will get yet another chance to fight for the seat held by Congressman Baron Hill. The G.O.P. primary in the 9th district appears to be going Todd Young’s way.

9:09 p.m. |Buyer’s Seat in IndianaThe A.P. has called the winner in the 4th Congressional district, Todd Rokita, the state’s secretary of state. Representative Steve Buyer decided to retire because of his wife’s illness; he had endorsed a state senator, Brandt Hershman. David Sanders, a Purdue University professor, will be the Democratic challenger and had lost to Mr. Buyer before.

9:05 p.m. |Democrats React to Coats WinThis didn’t take long. From Eric Schultz, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee:

Tonight, Indiana Republicans chose a deeply flawed candidate by selecting a Washington lobbyist as their nominee. In Indiana, Dan Coats rails against the Wall Street bailout, but in Washington, Dan Coats worked for the banks who received $750 billion in taxpayer funds. In Indiana, Dan Coats rails against the auto bailout, but in Washington he lobbied for it. Worst of all, Dan Coats lobbied for a bank trying to help companies outsource jobs overseas. In a few days, Indiana Democrats will nominate former sheriff Brad Ellsworth as their candidate and the contrasts could not be any clearer. While Washington lobbyist Dan Coats will do even more to protect big banks and corporate interests, sheriff Brad Ellsworth is focused on holding Wall Street accountable, and the needs of the middle-class.

8:58 p.m. |Burr’s StatementSenator Richard Burr, who coasted to victory in the G.O.P. primary in North Carolina, issued this statement: “I am honored to have received my party’s nomination today. However, this is just the beginning and it will be a long road to November. I have a strong record in the Senate fighting for issues important to North Carolinians. It will be up to North Carolinians to decide if I have upheld my commitment and allow me to continue my service to this state.â€

Thank you for that article, JohnDoe2. A very nice summary of those races.

OUCH, the anti-illegal immigration community not to mention working Americans really suffered a setback tonight.

The Tea Party folks and those of us in the anti-illegal immigration movement are going to regret this day in the future.

The inside the beltway GOP establishment is not going down without a fight and the tea party crowd is about to get a rude awakening now that the path to victory has been tested and proven. All the insiders have to do is fund a split ticket then count on inexperience and factionalism to take over while they unite behind their wh__ _ e.

Former Senator Coats winning the GOP primary in Indiana is especially bitter because there were not one but two far better options. He was backed by Senator Cornyn and his Republican Senatorial Election Committee outfit not to mention every lobbyist inside the beltway. They must know they can get him on board and do business, not to be confused with the people's work of defending the Constitution. How else will you get things like auto bailouts and tarp passed if you don't have former lobbyists in the GOP caucus who appreciate the value of stealing from the American people and their future generations?

Coats is a lobbyist by trade who has recently represented both wall street banks and auto industry bailout clients. Also, he has a history of not supporting 2nd amendment rights so it is possible if not likely that the NRA may support his Democrat rival.

Mr. Coats has an established voting record on immigration matters that earned him a D rating by NumbersUSA. Contrast that with his opponent former Rep. John Hostettler who enjoyed a NumbersUSA A+ rating. The other leading vote getter State Senator Marlin Stutzman who is supported by Senator DeMint said he would support securing the border and fighting against amnesty which I would tend to find believable if for no other reason than the company he keeps.

This is a Chamber of Commerce primary dream come true. Anyone who understands how the corporatist republican game works knows that Senator Lugar who has an NumbersUSA F rating will be on an amnesty and increased immigration limit bill as soon as Nov 5th if he has Coats to create a CYA alliance with.

Of course it only gets better because next door in Ohio the clock was being turned back to the Bush era with the GOP selection of Rob Portman who once served in that administration. Just what do you think his record on illegal immigration and increasing guest worker and HB visa program numbers is like? He earned a NumbersUSA rating of D+ which as far as I can tell is the worst of any former Representative from Ohio in the modern era! What a great choice. His claim to fame is the magnificent IRS restructuring work he performed! How does that excite you? Did you notice how wonderful IRS is now? Talk about Captain Status Quo here to save the day for The Mainline Establishment who employ tax lawyers that charge more an hour than it took to put braces on your childs teeth. How about a conversation on the loss of manufacturing jobs in OHIO while he was in Congress and serving as a number crunching lapdog for El Presidente Bush.

Splitting the vote 4 ways in Indiana played right into the establishment candidate's hands. Brilliant. Of course the two leading non-Coats candidates putting personal ambition ahead of ensuring the best thing for the state and country would be done just demonstrates how bad off we really are. Now Indiana and the rest of us will get what we deserve for screwing this up. Speaking for myself, I will never support either Hostettler or Stutzman for anything in the future. The best they each had to offer was needed right now at this one moment in time even if it was to endorse the other and close ranks. Instead they will both be at home just like the rest of us having Congress ram down our throats whatever it dreams up next.

I can see it now, Senator Coats will have a few million of those HB-1 visas and a side of ag-jobs while Senator Portman would like a path to citizenship for anyone willing to work for minimum wage, unlimited chain migration and some more of those IRS friendly tax credits for businesses offshoring jobs.

Let me guess, someone is going to point out that both Coats and Portman say they are against amnesty and support securing the border. Great, you have just won the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes and the check is in the mail since Ed doesn't get around well anymore!

Now ask these two corporatist republicans if they will vote against a path to citizenship for those in this country illegally, vote to eliminate birthright citizenship and sponsor legislation to increase funding for deportation efforts. And just what level and criteria do they think legal immigration should be subject to? Are they just talking tough about illegal immigration now and then plan on standing at points of entry with millions of green cards and rubber stamps? As Paul Harvey use to say "and that is the rest of the story".

Where do their loyalties lie, with the Constitution, the rule of law and American citizens working to provide for their families or with the Chamber of Commerce, the globalist business community it represents and foreigners who are in this country illegally?

I know what the voting and service record of these two men suggests. I know what their votes and influence resulted in for American workers and taxpayers.

Just the facts not the spin.

SovereignMan wrote,

OUCH, the anti-illegal immigration community not to mention working Americans really suffered a setback tonight.

The Tea Party folks and those of us in the anti-illegal immigration movement are going to regret this day in the future.

Agreed. Very disappointing. I wish I could say I was expecting different, but, realistically that would have been wishful thinking, as the pattern has been more of the same from the GOP.

Thanks for your assessment of the results.

In case anyone is interested, Indiana still uses computer voting machines.