Incumbents Win North Carolina, Ohio Primaries

So much for anti-Establishment fever?
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 5, 2010 6:43 AM CDT
Incumbents Win North Carolina, Ohio Primaries
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Dan Coats casts his vote in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 4, 2010.    (Darron Cummings)

Wait, wasn't this supposed to be the year of anti-Washington anger run amok? You wouldn't know it to look at last night's primary results: Incumbents won across the board in North Carolina and Ohio, while Indiana Republicans picked Washington veteran Dan Coats. Turnout was especially light in Ohio and North Carolina, which the AP sees as a sign both that voters aren't as fired up as advertised, and that the Tea Party movement is more bark than bite.

But Politico is skeptical. Sure, incumbents and establishment candidates won, but by less-than-impressive margins. In Ohio, Democratic favorite Lee Fisher won by just 10 points, despite a 20-point poll lead. In Indiana, Coats managed just 39% in a crowded field, and two incumbent reps won without taking the majority of their own parties' votes. Tea party candidates may have all been duds, but Politico still sees ample signs of volatility in the tea leaves. (More North Carolina stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X