Stunning Upset: No. 4 House Dem Loses in NY

It was a good night for Trump's favorites

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 27, 2018 3:22 AM CDT
Updated Jun 27, 2018 6:57 AM CDT

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Trump's Favorites Prevail in 3 GOP Primaries — Former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney holds his grandson Dane Romney, 2, while he and his wife, Ann, wave after addressing supporters at their campaign headquarters during an election night party Tuesday, June 26, 2018, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

President Trump staked a lot of political capital on a primary in South Carolina on Tuesday—and won. Gov. Henry McMaster prevailed in the Republican primary, beating businessman John Warren, a political novice, in all but seven of the state's 46 counties. Both candidates tried to appeal to Trump voters, who ended up going with "the candidate Trump liked rather than the Trump-like candidate," the State reports. Trump appeared at a rally for McMaster Monday night, telling supporters that it would be a "major, major defeat" for him if the governor lost. In other races:

Big upset in NY. In what the New York Times calls "the most stunning and consequential contest of the night," Democratic Rep. Joseph Crowley, seen as a possible future House speaker, was defeated in New York's 14th District primary by 28-year-old socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a political newcomer who ran to his left. Crowley is the No. 4 Democrat in the House, and Trump crowed about the defeat of the "Big Trump Hater Congressman" in the New York City district, tweeting, "Perhaps he should have been nicer, and more respectful, to his President!"

Romney cruises. Mitt Romney easily won his GOP primary in Utah, defeating state Rep. Mike Kennedy with around 73% of the vote, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Romney is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Orrin Hatch's retirement. Trump tweeted congratulations, saying a "great and loving family" will be coming to DC.
No comeback for Grimm. In another result that pleased Trump, New York Rep. Dan Donovan, an incumbent in another New York City seat, won the GOP primary against convicted felon Michael Griimm, who held the seat until 2015, the AP reports. Trump praised Donovan for showing "great courage in a tough race."
Jealous wins in Maryland. Former NAACP chief Ben Jealous, running on a progressive platform, prevailed in a six-way Democratic primary to become the nominee for governor, the Baltimore Sun reports. If Jealous wins the race to succeed Gov. Larry Hogan, he will become the state's first black governor.

(More primaries stories.)

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