Surprise tea party candidates are generating countless headlines, but most have won GOP nods for statewide office with less than 13 percent of the eligible vote — and it could hurt the Republican Party in November, according to a new analysis out Thursday. Their position at the edge of the political spectrum and the relatively low turnout for most of their statewide candidates may make it difficult for the GOP to garner sufficient votes in some states to overcome potential tea party aversion.
Alaska
One of the most successful candidates with tea party support were Republican Joe Miller, who won over 11 percent of eligible voters to beat Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski for the GOP nomination.
Connecticut
Former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon was nominated with votes from 6 percent of eligible voters.
Delaware
Christine O’Donnell won the GOP nomination for Senate with backing from just 5 percent of eligible voters.
Nevada
GOP Senate nominee Sharron Angle won 4 percent of the state’s voters in her primary.
New York
New York Governor nominee Carl Paladino won with just 2 percent of the eligible vote.
Wisconsin
Republican Ron Johnson, who won votes from 12 percent of the electorate and is challenging Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold.
On the whole, turnout in this year’s primaries was the second lowest ever, at 17.8 percent. The only year that saw lower primary turnout was 2006, when 16.1 percent of eligible voters went to the polls.
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Michael H. Drucker
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1 comment:
Fortunately, voters in all the states listed here have multiple choices on their November ballots. In each case there are at least three choices, so no one is stuck voting for a "tea party" person.
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