Thursday, May 18, 2006
The 2006 Primary: Senate
There were 25 seats (one-half of the chamber) up for re-nomination in Tuesday’s primary. With three members retiring, that left 22 incumbents actually running for re-nomination. Of the 22, 20 won re-nomination, and 17 did so without opposition from their own party. There were five contested primary elections (all for Republicans) which cost two incumbents—the President Pro Tempore and the Majority Leader—their seats.
What was the impact of the infamous pay raise?
Of the 22 running incumbents, 10 voted for the pay raise (six Republicans and four Democrats). For the Republicans, four members won re-nomination (three faced primary challengers) and the two leaders lost. All four Democrats won re-nomination, and all did so unopposed in their primaries. Voting for the pay raise definitely hit the Republicans hard in the Senate with only one senator of six running unopposed in the primary.
Those twelve senators voting against the pay raise (six Republicans and six Democrats) all won re-nomination, and quite easily. All of these members ran unopposed.
What was the impact of the infamous pay raise?
Of the 22 running incumbents, 10 voted for the pay raise (six Republicans and four Democrats). For the Republicans, four members won re-nomination (three faced primary challengers) and the two leaders lost. All four Democrats won re-nomination, and all did so unopposed in their primaries. Voting for the pay raise definitely hit the Republicans hard in the Senate with only one senator of six running unopposed in the primary.
Those twelve senators voting against the pay raise (six Republicans and six Democrats) all won re-nomination, and quite easily. All of these members ran unopposed.
