WASHINGTON — The primary season effectively draws to a close Tuesday as seven states and the District of Columbia hold elections, with most of the competitive statewide races involving Republicans.
The Republican Senate primary in New Hampshire will offer an intriguing test of how the state’s traditional Yankee Republicanism reconciles with the tea party energy that has enveloped party contests around the country this year.
The frontrunner is former state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, the choice both of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in Washington and of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who named Ayotte to her list of “Mama Grizzlies” in July.
But polling shows a fluid race. Businessmen Jim Bender and Bill Binnie each used personal funds to wage aggressive television ad campaigns. More recently, conservative attorney Ovide Lamontagne has begun surging, buoyed by the endorsement of the editorial page of the influential New Hampshire Union Leader and many fiscally conservative tea party members.
“If there’s a buzz candidate, it’s him,” said Tom Rath, a Concord lawyer and former state attorney general who is neutral in the race. “Of all the candidates, his core support is the most motivated.”
Polls show that whoever emerges as the Republican nominee is well-positioned against Rep. Paul Hodes, who faces no opposition in the Democratic primary.
In Delaware, Rep. Mike Castle is trying to withstand an unexpectedly fierce challenge from perennial candidate Christine O’Donnell in the Republican race for Senate. Palin’s endorsement of O’Donnell Thursday, combined with the financial might of the Tea Party Express group, has vaulted her from relative obscurity in the David vs. Goliath race against Castle, an 18-year congressman and former two-term governor.
Palin has also backed an underdog in the Republican race for governor in Maryland, investment banker Brian Murphy. Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich is considered likely to prevail, however, as he seeks to avenge his 2006 defeat to current Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley, the former mayor of Baltimore.
Voters in New York, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Rhode Island also will cast ballots Tuesday.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
