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unusual facts about primary election


Primary election

An example of this can be seen in the 1998 Vermont senatorial primary with the nomination of Fred Tuttle as the Republican candidate in the general election.


Arthur Levitt, Sr.

In 1961, he was the Tammany Hall regular candidate for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of New York City, but was defeated in the primary by incumbent Mayor Robert F. Wagner, Jr. who had broken with Tammany's leader, Carmine DeSapio.

Baltimore mayoral election, 2011

Because Baltimore's electorate is overwhelmingly Democratic, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's victory in the Democratic primary on September 13, 2011 all but assured her of victory in the general election.

Bob Clement

In 2002, when Republican Senator Fred Thompson stated that he had changed his mind regarding his previous announcement that he would run for a second full term, Clement entered the Democratic primary for Thompson's seat.

Bruce Holland

Holland faces oposition for a four-year Senate term in the May 20, 2014 Republican primary election from District 21 State Representative Terry Rice of Waldron.

Buddy Dyer

Dyer had two Democratic primary opponents, Candice "Candy" Crawford (sister of former Florida Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford and political pundit Craig Crawford) and Tim Adams, a local business owner.

Carol Aichele

Aichele defeated two other candidates in the primary, including future State Representative Duane Milne, and succeeded retiring Republican incumbent Joseph Carpenter.

Corrie Houck

Corrie is mounting a serious Primary challenge in 2012 to replace the current incumbent, Jeanne Labuda.

Dan Forest

In 2012, in his first run for office, Forest placed first (with a 67,000 vote margin of victory) in a crowded May primary election, which included Speaker Pro Tempore of the North Carolina House of Representatives Dale Folwell, Representative Gray Mills, and Wake County Commissioner Tony Gurley.

David Fromkin

In the 1972 Democratic primary campaign, he served as a foreign-policy adviser to candidate Hubert Humphrey.

David J. Robinson

He was appointed to his position when the previous representative, E.J. Thomas, resigned; in turn, when Robinson lost the Republican primary election to Jim Hughes, he resigned so that Hughes could be appointed to his seat and run as an incumbent.

David Lelei

He vied for National Assembly of Kenya candidacy in 2007, but lost at the Orange Democratic Movement's primaries to Peris Chepchumba, who eventually won the Eldoret South Constituency seat at the 2007 elections.

Dawn Gibbons

During the 2006 election season, she was defeated in the Republican Party primary to succeed her husband in the U.S. House of Representatives, finishing in third place behind Nevada Secretary of State Dean Heller, the eventual winner of both the primary and the general elections, and State Assemblywoman Sharron Angle.

Delia Garcia

In 2010, rather than run for re-election herself, she helped longtime ally Ponka-We Victors file as the sole candidate in the Democratic primary election.

Doug La Follette

La Follette first ran for office in the 1970 U.S. House of Representatives election, losing to Les Aspin in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district.

Earlean Collins

After narrowly prevailing in the Democratic primary against Kane County Coroner Mary Lou Kearns, she was defeated in the general election by Republican Loleta Didrickson.

Elizabeth M. Tamposi

During the 1988 congressional election, Tamposi sought election to the United States House of Representatives from New Hampshire, but lost out during the Republican primary, largely due to her opponent's assertions that it would be inappropriate for a mother of young children to leave the home and hold political office.

Felix Grucci

In 2000, he was elected to Congress after Democratic incumbent Michael Forbes, who had switched from the Republican Party in 1999, was upset in the primary by his opponent, Regina Seltzer.

Frank L. Madla

Madla had maintained his Senate seat without opposition until successfully challenged in the Democratic primary held in March 2006 by the District 118 state representative, Carlos I. "Charlie" Uresti.

George Wallace, Jr.

In 1986, Wallace was elected Alabama State Treasurer, narrowly winning the Democratic Party primary and runoff over Jim Zeigler and facing no opposition in the general election.

Georgia gubernatorial election, 1962

Second, the primary election was the first that took place under a winner-take-all system, as the previously used County Unit System had been struck down by the US Supreme Court in Gray v. Sanders.

Jeffery Cohelan

In 1966, he faced a tough primary challenge from Ramparts magazine editor Robert Scheer, who was supported by local activists from the civil-rights and emerging anti-war movement.

John Gunyou

The choice of Gunyou, who had served previously under Republican Governor Arne Carlson, was called a "calculated risk," as Kelliher was facing a primary challenge from Mark Dayton and Matt Entenza.

Lee Holloway

Holloway ran for mayor of Milwaukee in 1988, losing in the initial non-partisan primary to John Norquist and Martin Schreiber; he says that while he wasn't very political, he felt that there should be an African-American in the race.

Liberal Party of New York

In 1969, Lindsay, the incumbent Republican Mayor of New York City, lost his own party's primary but was reelected on the Liberal Party line alone, bringing along 'on his coat-tails' enough Liberal candidates for City Council to replace the Republicans as the Minority Party in City government.

Manuel Jacques

For the 2005 Chilean presidential election he competed in the primary election for the Juntos Podemos Más electoral pact.

Marlin Stutzman

Stutzman was a candidate in the 2010 U.S. Senate election, but was defeated in the primary election in May 2010 by former Senator Dan Coats.

Odell McBrayer

Odell Lavon McBrayer (August 16, 1930 – March 18, 2008) was a Fort Worth attorney, Christian layman, and a Republican candidate for governor of Texas in the 1974 party primary election.

Otto Junkermann

In 2011, he ran as a "fake Democrat" candidate in the Democratic primary against former Brown County Executive Nancy Nusbaum in the preamble to the recall election against Senator Robert Cowles.

Paolo Borsellino

His sister Rita ran as centre-left presidential candidate in the 2006 regional election, after having won the regional primary election, but lost to incumbent Salvatore Cuffaro, who was later sentenced to seven years in prison for collusion with the Mafia.

Patrick H. Kelly

He challenged eight-term incumbent Democrat Michael F. O'Connell, and defeated him in the Democratic primary by eight votes (737 to 729) in a three-way race.

Patrick J. O'Connor

On Tuesday, March 3, 2009 O'Connor finished fifth in a 12-way race in the primary election for the Democratic Party nomination for the United States House of Representatives in the special election called to replace US Rep. Rahm Emanuel in Illinois's 5th congressional district.

Paul Berendt

Additionally, the state Democratic Party, along with the Republicans and Libertarians, sued and successfully overturned the state's former blanket primary election system after the United States Supreme Court found California's similar system unconstitutional in California Democratic Party v. Jones.

Peggy Krusick

On August 14, 2012, Krusick was defeated in the Democratic primary by Daniel Riemer, a 25-year-old law student and son of an advisor to former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

Philadelphia mayoral election, 2007

The Democratic Party primary campaign saw two well-known, well-funded Philadelphia congressmenBob Brady and Chaka Fattah – eclipsed by self-funding businessman Tom Knox and reformist former Philadelphia City Council member Nutter, who won by a surprisingly large margin in the primary election on May 15.

Raising Kaine

The movement was ultimately successful, with Webb declaring his candidacy, defeating businessman Harris Miller in the Democratic primary, and defeating Allen in the general election ove rthe course of the year.

Ray Hunkins

Bebout secured the backing of former U.S. Senator Alan Kooi Simpson of Cody, who issued strong attacks on Hunkins during the primary campaign.

Republican Party presidential primaries, 1984

Incumbent President Ronald Reagan was again selected as the nominee through a series of primary elections and caucuses culminating in the 1984 Republican National Convention held from August 20 to August 23, 1984 in Dallas, Texas.

Republican Party presidential primaries, 1992

Incumbent President George H.W. Bush was again selected as the nominee through a series of primary elections and caucuses culminating in the 1992 Republican National Convention held from August 17 to August 20, 1992 in Houston, Texas.

Robert F. Thompson

On May 23, Thompson defeated Paragould resident and former state representative Gary Biggs in the Democratic primary election for the District 11 seat.

The Times-Picayune

In the mayoral race of 2006, The Times-Picayune endorsed right-leaning Democrat Ron Forman in the primary election and Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu in the runoff.

Thomas M. Leighton

Leighton defeated former city leader Tom McGroarty in the Democratic Party primary election in 2003, partly on a platform to revitalize Wilkes-Barre's downtown sector.

Tom Lingenfelter

The last time, in 1996, he won 40% of the vote against moderate incumbent James C. Greenwood in the primary election.

United States Senate election in South Carolina, 1962

W. D. Workman, Jr., a correspondent for the News and Courier, faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election.

Wesley C. Uhlman

Uhlman ran for governor of Washington in 1976 but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Dixy Lee Ray, in a three-way race.

William R. Moser

Moser obtained a plurality in a four-way Democratic primary election against Assemblyman Cecil B. Brown, former Assemblyman John Schaller, and Brown Deer village trustee Fred W. Voigt; and was unopposed in the general election.

Zorn, Texas

Buried in Zorn is the Arkansas Democratic politician Monroe Schwarzlose, who polled 31 percent of the vote as a protest against Bill Clinton in the 1980 gubernatorial primary.


see also

Alan J. Dixon

Outgoing Governor Dan Walker had lost the support of the Party and the primary election.

Andrew Romanoff

After losing the 2010 Colorado Democratic Party primary election for a U.S. Senate Seat, Romanoff accepted a position in September, 2010 as a Senior Advisor with International Development Enterprises (IDE).

August E. Johansen

In 1954, after Shafer's death just two weeks after being nominated unopposed in the Republican Party primary election for Michigan's 3rd congressional district, Johansen was elected to replace Shafer in the 84th United States Congress.

Bonnie Cullison

Six Democrats filed for delegate and, in the Democratic primary election held on September 14, Cullison placed second, surpassed only by incumbent Ben Kramer.

Brad Courtney

Although Graber lost the primary election to Alberta Darling, who went on to win the general election, Graber later served as Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin and United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic.

Brad Schneider

Schneider defeated his opponents Ilya Sheyman, John Tree, and Vivek Bavda in the primary election on March 20, 2012 with 47% of the vote.

Carol Liu

In the 2008 primary election, she initially faced opposition from former Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer; however Frommer decided to drop out before election.

Daniel Frisa

Frisa unseated fellow Republican David A. Levy in the 1994 primary election, and served one term in the 104th Congress, representing New York's 4th congressional district.

Drew Springer, Jr.

It initially appeared that Springer had lost the 2012 Republican primary election, when his chief opponent, Trent McKnight, a rancher from Throckmorton County, backed by Governor Rick Perry, state agriculture commissioner Todd Staples, the Texas Farm Bureau, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Edgar Weeks

He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1902, losing in the Republican primary election to Henry McMorran, who went on to be elected to fill Weeks's seat in the House.

Eric Luedtke

In the primary election on September 14, 2010, Luedtke finished in third place, behind incumbent Delegate Anne Kaiser and political staffer Craig Zucker.

Francis X. Bellotti

He also sought the nomination of the Democratic party for governor in 1970 and in 1990, but was defeated in the Democratic primary election in both elections losing to Kevin White the first time and John Silber the second.

Frank E. Willis

Citing "voter confusion", Willis then appealed that decision to the South Carolina Democratic Party, who ruled in favor of Wukela, and denied the mayor's request for another primary election.

Héctor Cavallero

In 2007 he competed in the primary election of the Justicialist-led Front for Victory, for mayor of Rosario, with the support of governor candidate Rafael Bielsa and against Juan Héctor Sylvestre Begnis.

Howard W. Davis

Davis's first bid for public office was in August 1923, when he cross-filed for the State Assembly in the 73rd District primary election.

James J. Devine

His roots as a political operative in Union County began in 1980, during Raymond Lesniak's ill-fated primary election challenge to Elizabeth Mayor Thomas G. Dunn.

Janet S. Owens

In early July 2006, when asked if he would debate Owens, Schaefer said he "wouldn't debate her on how to bake a chocolate cake." In the primary election on September 12, 2006, Owens garnered more votes than Schaefer, but Peter Franchot received the most votes, earning the Democratic party's nomination for Comptroller.

Jeff Greene

Greene's attempt to win the Democratic nomination was, however, unsuccessful; Rep. Kendrick Meek won the primary election before losing to Republican Marco Rubio in the November general election.

Kateřina Jacques

In the primary election in January 2006 she received the second eligible place on the Green ticket, just after chairman Martin Bursík.

Katrin Göring-Eckardt

In the primary election for the Greens' top candidates for the 2013 federal election on 11 November 2012, she was the second-place winner with 47.3%, beating Claudia Roth and Renate Künast; this made her and Jürgen Trittin, who won the most votes, the factions' top two candidates for the following year's election.

Various media described her performance as a correction to the force rather than going further left when compared to first-place primary election winner Jürgen Trittin, a vote made by the now much more bourgeois party base.

Leo T. McCarthy

In 1992, McCarthy entered the Democratic primary election for the U.S. Senate, but lost the nomination to Congresswoman (now Senator) Barbara Boxer.

Los Angeles mayoral election, 2001

The Los Angeles Times made a dual endorsement of Hahn and Villaraigosa in the primary election, while the City's other daily newspapers, The Los Angeles Daily News and The Daily Breeze endorsed Soboroff.

Matt Entenza

Entenza ultimately finished third in the 2010 DFL primary election, coming in behind Mark Dayton and Margaret Anderson Kelliher.

Matt Kelty

Kelty upset Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters in the May 8, 2007, Republican primary election, setting a matchup against Democrat Tom Henry in the general election.

Mel Levine

In 1992, Levine entered the Democratic primary election for the U.S. Senate, but lost the nomination to then-Congresswoman Barbara Boxer.

Nancy Shakir

Shakir won 14,600 votes (37.30% of the total) and lost to Larry Kissell, who won 24,541 votes (62.70% of the total) in the 2010 primary election.

Natalie Tennant

She lost the primary election to acting governor Earl Ray Tomblin, coming in third place behind state house speaker Rick Thompson.

New York City: the 51st State

New York City: the 51st State was the platform of the Norman MailerJimmy Breslin candidacy in the 1969 New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary election.

Nicholas Lorusso

As a candidate for reelection to a second full term in the reconfigured District 94 in the October 22 primary election, Lorusso defeated legislative colleague John LaBruzzo, who was moved from District 81.

Orange County Board of County Commissioners

In District 1, where Teresa Jacobs could not run again due to term limits, Scott Boyd and Sharon Gravitte finished in a near dead heat, 35.31% to 33.81% respectively, in the 2008-08-26, primary election.

Paul W. Shafer

He died on August 17, 1954 in Washington, D.C., two weeks after being re-nominated in the Republican primary election to the 84th Congress.

Ravenswood, West Virginia

1960 Presidential Candidate John F. Kennedy visits Ravenswood during the Primary Election campaign.

Renee Lane

She defeated Dr. Francis Byrne, brother of New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne in the primary election, and Republican Carmine Capone, the Mayor of Orange, New Jersey in the general election.

Sandy Adams

On August 14, 2012, she was defeated in her bid for a second term in the Republican primary election by fellow Congressman John Mica after being redistricted to the 7th district.

Sara Misquez

Misquez defeated Chino in the tribe's 2007 primary election when she received the most votes, followed by Carleton Naiche-Palmer.

Sharon McPhail

She placed third in the primary election on August 2, coming in behind Freman Hendrix and incumbent Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and eliminating her from the general election on November 8.

Stephen Hartgen

2008 When District 23 Republican Senator Tom Gannon died after the 2008 primary election, Republican Representative Bert Brackett was allowed to replace him on the general election ballot; since Brackett had been unopposed in the primary, Hartgen was allowed to replace Brackett on the general election ballot for 23B; Hartgen won the November 4, 2008, general election with 9,951 votes (64.8%) against Mike Ihler (D).

Sue Wilson Beffort

On June 17, 2006, Dr. J.R. Damron, who won the primary election to become the Republican nominee for the gubernatorial election, was pressured into resigning as the Republican candidate for Governor of New Mexico by Republican Party chairman Allen Weh and former chairman John Dendahl .

Thaddeus M. Machrowicz

In 1950, Machrowicz defeated incumbent Democrat George G. Sadowski in the Democratic Party primary election and went on to be elected to represent Michigan's 1st congressional district in the 82nd United States Congress.

Thomas G. Dunn

His staunch conservative ideology, dubious ethical standing and irascible personality earned Dunn a spirited primary election challenge from progressive Democrat James J. Devine when he ran for the General Assembly in 1991.

United States House of Representatives election in North Dakota, 2012

The North Dakota Republican Party endorsed Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk at their state convention, though general election ballot access is determined by a statewide primary election held on June 12, 2012.

Vote splitting

In the special 2003 California gubernatorial race won by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, which did not involve a primary election and which listed 135 candidates on the ballot, concerns about vote splitting caused the Democratic party to withdraw all but one of its major candidates, and caused the Republicans to withdraw most of their candidates.

Warren Spannaus

In 1982, he ran for Governor of Minnesota as the DFL-endorsed candidate but lost the primary election to former DFL Governor Rudy Perpich, who went on to win the general election.

Yusuf Musa Nagogo

According to Nagogo, he was the sole candidate for the senatorial seat when the CPC held its primary election in Nasarawa State on 11 January 2011, supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).