06/04/2002 Archived Entry: "Primary Results, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa"

Link to New Mexico Results

NM Governor Primary
A recent poll had Sanchez up big over Bradley, but then Gov Johnson started intervening in the race, and with all the endorsements, Bradley surged back, and I thought he would overtake Sanchez, but he fell just short. This sets up a Latino-vs-Latino Governors race, with Richardson widely favored. Sanchez, a former roofing contractor, says New Mexicans Ready For Change, and he's right, they will have a Democrat as their next Governor.

The open 2nd District will be John Smith vs Pearce. Smith is a conservative Democrat, and I favor him to win the race. I had thought that Las Cruces would push Reuben Smith over the top, but it has turned out that way. Wilson holds the other seat for the GOP in the 1st, and will face her tougest race ever against Romero, without the handicap of a Green in the race, meaning she will need to get above 50% for the first time, against her strongest opponent to date. Romero actually voted for the GOP redistricting plan, which was approved by the courts, as it keeps Abq. in tact. Pearce won in a crowded GOP race.

Turnout should have actually been stronger for the GOP, given their competitive Governor primary, and that's why the US Senate primary numbers for Tristiani, with nearly 25% more votes than Domenici are going to make some heads turn in DC, and probably start the cash flowing into her campaign.

Link to South Dakota results

SD pretty much turned out as I expected with the exception of the GOP Gov primary. Rounds appears to have been the fallout from such a negative Barnett vs Kirby race, that Rounds basically ran an end-run by both front-runners. Abbott might have a clear shot in this race. Janklow starts with a strong edge of Herseth. This race offers about as strong a contrast as possible, and given the Rounds upset, who can count anyone out in SD?

Link to Iowa Primary results.

No surprises in Iowa. Hutchinson won the Democratic primary to face Nussle, I favor her, here's a recent write-up from the WA Post, Democrats Hopeful Remap Will Help Unseat Nussle. Grossman did not do as well as expected, with Platts making a strong showing, Vilisak appears safe. Salier did a little better than I expected, getting a strong 41% against Ganske, which improves Harkins standing even more. There are going to be a lot of very competitive races in Iowa, which is going to attract many of the Presidential candidates to the state as well.

Yesterday's Predictions.

Replies: 1 Comment

Richardson romp this week and November 5 in NM, and Baldacci blowout next week and November 5 in Maine.

Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/05/2002 08:04 AM PST