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

Candidates backed by the political action committees of CUNA andits state affiliates won primaries for U.S. Senate seats in NewJersey and New Mexico and advanced in U.S. House races in Alabamaand 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 raceto replace retiring Sen. Pete Domenici. Pearce, a member of theHouse Financial Services Committee, defeated Rep. Heather Wilson(R-N.M.). Pearce will face Rep. Tom Udall (R-N.M.) in the generalelection.

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

The fate of two credit union-supported candidates in Alabama hasnot been determined.

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

In the 5th District, commercial real estate executive Jay Parkerwill compete in a July 15 GOP runoff against attorney CherylGuthrie.

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