McCain survives Arizona primary challenge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In the end, John McCain won handsomely. But another sitting Republican Senator was facing defeat yesterday, after another round of US primaries underlining the dangers facing incumbents in November's mid-term congressional elections.
According to near-final figures, Mr McCain, his party's unsuccessful 2008 presidential nominee, crushed his ultra-conservative opponent JD Hayworth by a 56-32 margin in Arizona. But the victory came at a high price – $21m, and an enforced shift to the right.
Nonetheless Mr McCain can now look forward to victory in November's general election. The same cannot be said for Republican incumbent Lisa Murkowski in Alaska, who was trailing Joe Miller, backed by Sarah Palin and the insurgent Tea Party movement, by 48 to 51 per cent, with only absentee votes still to be counted.
A Murkowski defeat would be a notable upset. It would also be the biggest success yet in this election season for Ms Palin, who has been dispensing endorsements on conservative candidates who meet her approval.
Elsewhere, in the battle for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Florida, former health care executive, Rick Scott, defeated the state's Attorney General Bill McCollum. And Democrat, Kendrick Meek, beat a campaign by billionaire Jeff Greene in the primary for the state's vacant Senate seat.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments