“I HAVE A MESSAGE FROM THE TEA PARTY: WE HAVE COME TO TAKE OUR GOVERNMENT BACK”
Trey Grayson, Kentucky, Secretary of State, was backed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and former Vice President Dick Cheney, was soundly defeated by Tea Party favorite Rand Paul. In Pennsylvania, five-term Sen. Arlen Specter, who ditched the Republican Party last year to save his career, ended up being sent into retirement anyway by Rep. Joe Sestak in the Democratic primary.
And in Arkansas, Sen. Blanche Lincoln was forced into a runoff against Lt. Gov. Bill Halter after she failed to win the majority of votes in the Democratic primary.
The results of Tuesday’s races sent a clear message to Washington that the anti-incumbent wave that has gripped the nation over the past year isn’t losing steam.
The latest primaries were closely watched for clues to how angry the electorate is about a weak economy, record-high deficits, two ongoing wars and a Washington environment that critics say favors rhetoric over results.
If recent elections highlight an undercurrent of voter anger, it remains to be seen how that anger will affect November’s midterm elections, when Republicans will challenge Democrats for control of both chambers in Congress.
Yet one thing seems certain — these are uncertain times for career politicians! (READ MORE)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.