After tonight's primary races in Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio, some of the match-ups for November are set, while others are still too close to call. At this time:
Indiana:
- IN-Sen: With two teabagger candidates splitting the wingnut vote, former Senator Dan Coats will face off against Brad Ellsworth to replace Evan Bayh. The DSCC reacts:
Tonight, Indiana Republicans chose a deeply flawed candidate by selecting a Washington lobbyist as their nominee. In Indiana, Dan Coats rails against the Wall Street bailout, but in Washington, Dan Coats worked for the banks who received $750 billion in taxpayer funds. In Indiana, Dan Coats rails against the auto bailout, but in Washington he lobbied for it. Worst of all, Dan Coats lobbied for a bank trying to help companies outsource jobs overseas. In a few days, Indiana Democrats will nominate former sheriff Brad Ellsworth as their candidate and the contrasts could not be any clearer. While Washington lobbyist Dan Coats will do even more to protect big banks and corporate interests, sheriff Brad Ellsworth is focused on holding Wall Street accountable, and the needs of the middle-class.
- IN-02: Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly faces Republican challenger "Wacky Jackie" Walorski.
- IN-05: Incumbent Republican Dan "Watermelon" Burton managed to hang on and will face Democratic challenger Tim Crawford.
- IN-08: Trent Van Haaften will defend Brad Ellsworth's seat, facing off against Republican Larry Buschon who had a close call against teabagger candidate Kristi Risk.
North Carolina:
- NC-Sen: Republican incumbent Richard Burr easily won his primary and will face either Cal Cunningham or Elaine Marshall ... neither Democrat was able to crack 40% so they will have a run-off in June.
Ohio:
- OH-Sen: Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher wins over Sec. of State Jennifer Brunner and will face Republican Rob Portman to see who replaces George Voinovich. DSCC chairman Senator Robert Menendez has released a statement saying:
Congratulations to Lee Fisher on winning a hard-fought primary battle. Both Lee Fisher and Jennifer Brunner deserve credit for waging thoughtful, aggressive campaigns. We now begin a general election contest where the contrasts could not be any clearer. Lee Fisher is focused on creating jobs, holding Wall Street accountable, and stopping the excesses of oil and insurance companies. Rob Portman created the economic mess we are in, and will do even more to protect corporate interests like the big banks, oil companies, and insurance companies – all at the expense of Ohio’s middle-class. In November, Ohioans will face a choice between returning to the failed economic policies of the past with Rob Portman or continuing down a path of economic progress with Lee Fisher.
Look for a complete round-up with the final results tomorrow.