Yesterday’s national primaries proved several things. First, Sarah Palin’s political influence has not diminished. Second, Arizona Republican Senator John McCain’s dramatic transformation was sufficient enough for Arizona voters to feel confident in his leadership. Above all, according to the Washington Post, the results proved that the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) “continues to be the bane of many Republican incumbents existence” — McCain, who voted for TARP in the October 2008 but voted against it in January 2009, being an exception.
All five of the candidates endorsed by Sarah Palin were victorious yesterday, most notably senatorial candidate Joe Miller, who according to preliminary results defeated Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski with 98 percent of the precincts reporting. According to the Washington Post, this was the “biggest upset in the 2010 cycle to date.” Both Miller and Murkowski attributed the results to Sarah Palin’s influence. As reported in the Post, the outcome indicates, “In Republican primaries — particularly small turnout affairs — the energy and enthusiasm that Palin can help create is invaluable.”
Palin’s endorsement was not the only obstacle with which Murkowski had to contend, however. Murkowski’s vote for TARP is believed to have permanently tarnished her reputation with Republican voters.
The Post states that the TARP vote hurt Murkowski “in much the same way that the vote damaged Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah), South Carolina Rep. Gresham Barrett and a slew of other Republicans in their campaigns this year.”
McCain’s victory yesterday was predictable, but wasn’t always. Just months ago, McCain’s victory was all but certain and for a period of time, McCain lagged behind his contender, the more conservative J.D. Hayworth. Last night told a different story, however. By the time 11 percent of the precincts reported, McCain held a large lead, 59 percent to 29 percent, prompting the Associated Press to call McCain’s victory. He will face off against Tucson City Councilman Rodney Glassman in November, but Congressional Quarterly predicts McCain’s victory will be a landslide. “Catching McCain will be difficult for any Democrat in Republican-leaning Arizona, which hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.”
In addition to McCain, a variety of notable candidates came forth victoriously in yesterday’s Arizona primaries. Arizona’s Republican primary showed an upset victory for Jesse Kelly who defeated establishment favorite Jonathon Paton for the eighth congressional district. Kelly will be contending with Democrat Gabrielle Giffords in the Fall. Likewise, Ben Quayle, son of former Vice President Dan Quayle, won the Republican nomination for the third congressional seat after a 10 way primary. Quayle now competes with Democrat Jon Hulburd to replace Representative John Shadegg, who is retiring.
There were several other distinguished victories last night worth mentioning.
In Florida, Rick Scott edged out Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Republican primary for the gubernatorial election after spending $50 million of his own money. Scott will run against Alex Sink in the fall.
Vermont’s Lieutenant Governor, Republican Brian Dubie, remains uncertain as to who he will be up against in November, since the Democratic primary showed all three candidates within 1,000 votes of each other, likely resulting in a necessary recount.
One thing is for certain: The 10 weeks leading up to November 2 should prove to be exciting.
Photo of John McCain: AP Images
