Allen wins Virginia GOP Senate primary, CNN projects
(CNN) – After facing a crowded field of Senate hopefuls in Virginia, GOP candidate George Allen won the commonwealth's primary Tuesday, CNN projects.
Allen's victory marked a final hurdle in his bid to run against Democrat Tim Kaine in one of the nation's most closely-watched Senate races.
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“Today, thousands of Virginians sent a message to President Obama, Tim Kaine and their allies in Washington that they have had enough of the failed policies coming out of Washington," Allen said in a statement Tuesday night.
Voters chose between Allen, state lawmaker Bob Marshall, tea party activist Jamie Radtke, and minister E.W. Jackson. Marshall represented the most serious competitor against Allen, though he still trailed far behind Allen in recent polls heading up to the primary.
While Allen shored up the Republican nomination this week, his three opponents nevertheless left their mark on the primary race by forcing the candidate to run further to the right in his campaign.
Allen previously held the Senate seat before losing re-election in 2006 to Democratic Sen. Jim Webb, who's now retiring after one term.
Meanwhile, Kaine, also a former governor and the former Democratic National Committee chairman, ran unopposed on the Democratic side.
"I want to congratulate George Allen for his victory in tonight's primary," Kaine said in a statement Tuesday night. "As we move into the general election phase of this campaign, Virginians are faced with a stark choice between two very different visions for our country's future."
In this year's first quarter, the Democrat reported having more money in the bank than his Republican opponent - $4.4 million to Allen's $2.7 million.
Along with a Senate race featuring two former governors, Virginia will be a political hotbed this fall in the presidential election as both President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney vie for the crucial swing state.
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I first read this as "Alien projected to win Senate primary"... and with the headlines lately I almost didn't read the article.
He may have won the primary, but Hank is going to win the election. Vote Hank For Senate!!!
Allen is a hardworking representative of Virginians and is not a die hard Tea-Party extremist. Whether Allen or Kaine prevails is actually a win-win for Virginia moderates who are already shell shocked from the far right conservative bias that currently exists in Richmond. May the best man win. But in reality it is good to see some common sense of moderation taking place finally.
Pin him to his dubious record with Grover Norquist and the tea party and destroy him.
This Aklen is the racist guy who called macaque to a fellow that look like an east Indian. I hope he looses again. I will vote for Tim Kaine
He will beat his democrat oponent. This is a very good sign that Obama will lose in November.
There is nothing better than watching a dreamer like Obama crashing in the Sea of Reality. He will be remembered as the worse mistake this country ever made.
YES!!!!! One of my favorite politicians is back!!!!
After the extremist insanity of Republican state laws against women, against voter rights, against workers – VA should get behind Democrat veteran and public servant Tim Kaine.
"forcing the candidate to run further to the right"
OFF the cliff you go, to the bottom, to the Republican Party of God, where your paradise awaits you with 99 virgins and burning crosses.
This win has nothing to do with the democrats, Hello do you have a clue, people voted yesteray for GOP, what a MORON
“Today, thousands of Virginians sent a message to President Obama, Tim Kaine and their allies in Washington that they have had enough of the failed policies coming out of Washington," Allen said in a statement Tuesday night.
-Really? It was a republican primary, for goodness sakes. I guess the Arizona people sent a strong message to Mitt Romney when they elected Ron Barber to congress yesterday.
Virginia and this country is in deep dodo if he's elected....
No, they didn't, Mr. Allen. A bunch of Republicans chose you over the Tea Party...Modest cause for celebration, I suppose, depending on whatever it is you stand or from time to time variously claim to stand for...
How is this sending a message to Obama? This was the Republican primary! You have to wait till November, Mr. Allen. This guy is all rhetoric.
VA–vote for democrats, obama12.