Light primary election turnouts in three states produced no major upsets

Light-ElectionIt has been reported that light primary election turnouts in Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina Tuesday produced no major upsets as veteran campaigners took key U. S. Senate races.

In North Carolina, all congressional incumbents won, including Republican U. S. Sen. Richard Burr, who had no problem dispatching three intraparty challengers.

The Charlotte Observer has reported that Burr, who Democrats believe is vulnerable, will have to wait to find out who he will face in the November general election. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall had 36 percent to 27 percent for Cal Cunningham, a former state lawmaker with strong backing from many party leaders. Since she didn't reach 40 percent, Cunningham said he would pursue her in a June runoff.

Cunningham said, "We will prevail June 22."

However, Marshall said that don't be so sure.

The Observer quoted Marshall as saying, "If Cal decides to continue to run this race for the next seven weeks, we'll beat him again with a larger margin than we did tonight."

It was also reported that one of North Carolina's House races appeared headed to a runoff as well. In the 8th District, Tim D'Annunzio, a businessman and former paratrooper with Tea Party backing, and Harold Johnson, a retired sportscaster who campaigned as a Reagan conservative with the backing of former Gov. Jim Martin, each were near 40 percent.

The runoff winner will face Democratic incumbent Larry Kissell.

It appears that in the 11th District, Democratic incumbent Heath Shuler will face Republican Jeff Miller, who unofficial results showed won the GOP primary with 40 percent to 34 percent for Dan Eichenbaum. (With Inputs from Agencies)