WASHINGTON (AP) - The primary season is ending as it began, the
Republican establishment on one side in state after state, and tea
party activists on another.
The competition is particularly strong in Delaware and New
Hampshire, where GOP senatorial nominations are the prize, and New
York, where Republicans pick a challenger for an uphill fall
campaign for governor.
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Maryland also hold
primaries Tuesday, along with the District of Columbia.
Among incumbents, veteran Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New
York and Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty face particularly stiff
challenges - one because of ethics charges in Congress, the other
after conceding to voters he has behaved arrogantly over the past
four years.
In Delaware, veteran Rep. Mike Castle, a moderate, vies with
Christine O'Donnell for the nomination for a Senate seat. O'Donnell
has the support of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as well as tea
party activists. New Castle County Executive Chris Coons has no
opposition for the Democratic nomination.
In New Hampshire, Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes is unopposed for
the Senate nomination, and Republicans are settling a
multi-candidate race. Former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte
campaigned with the support of the party establishment and Palin,
while Ovide Lamontagne claimed backing from tea party activists.
Bill Binnie and Jim Bender campaigned on the strength of their
records as businessmen.
In Maryland, former Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich faces a primary
challenge from Brian Murphy, 33, a business investor who was
virtually unknown before winning Palin's endorsement last month.
Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, who ousted Ehrlich from office
in 2006, faces minor opposition for the nomination to compete for a
new term.
Wisconsin Republicans are choosing among three candidates to
pick a challenger for Sen. Russ Feingold, and businessman Ron
Johnson is widely viewed as the prohibitive favorite.
In Rhode Island, Providence Mayor David Cicilline, who is openly
gay, campaigned in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination
to run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Patrick Kennedy.
Republicans are having a contested primary to select their own
candidate.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is unchallenged for the
Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Republicans are choosing
between former Rep. Rick Lazio, backed by party officials, and Carl
Paladino, a wealthy developer who campaigned with support from tea
party activists.