WASHINGTON — CUNA and its state affiliates had a string of successes in last week's congressional primaries on both sides of the aisle.

Candidates backed by the political action committees of CUNA and its state affiliates won primaries for U.S. Senate seats in New Jersey and New Mexico and advanced in U.S. House races in Alabama and California.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) turned back a challenge from Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) and will face former Rep. Dick Zimmer (R-N.J.) in November.

Rep. Steven Pearce (R-N.M.) won his party's primary in the race to replace retiring Sen. Pete Domenici. Pearce, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, defeated Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.). Pearce will face Rep. Tom Udall (R-N.M.) in the general election.

Marine Corps. Reserve Captain Duncan D. Hunter won a four-candidate race for an open seat in California's 52nd congressional district. Hunter, an Iraq War veteran, received 73% of the vote in the primary to replace his father, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Ca.), a 14-term lawmaker who is retiring. The younger Hunter will face Retired Navy SEAL Commander Mike Lumpkin, the Democratic nominee, and Libertarian candidate Michael Benoit in November.

The fate of two credit union-supported candidates in Alabama has not been determined.

In the 2nd District, GOP state Rep. Jay Love will compete in a July 15 runoff against state Sen. Harri Anne Smith, an executive of a community bank.

In the 5th District, commercial real estate executive Jay Parker will compete in a July 15 GOP runoff against attorney Cheryl Guthrie.

–cmarx@cutimes.com

Instant Insights /

Trade-Backed Candidates Advance in Calif., N.J. and N.M.; Face Runoffs in Ala.

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