Este é um desenvolvimento significativo no GOP. Mais importante ainda do que o número de lugares que os republicanos possam conquistar aos democratas nas próximas eleições é a natureza dos novos representantes do GOP que venham a ser eleitos. O afastamento de Bennett é mais um sinal positivo quanto à renovação do GOP: Sen. Bennett Loses Nomination Bid
Republican Senator Robert Bennett of Utah on Saturday became the first incumbent U.S. senator to drop a re-election bid this year after losing a vote for his party’s nomination.
The three-term senator, hurt by anti-incumbent sentiment and unpopular moves he made in Washington in the past few years, failed to secure enough support from the 3,500 delegates at the state GOP convention here.
Unlike most states, Utah has a nominating system in which delegates winnow down their party’s field of candidates before a primary election. Mr. Bennett was eliminated from the Senate race in the second of three rounds of delegate voting. He finished third in the vote; only the top two advance to the final round.
The remaining candidates, businessman Tim Bridgewater and lawyer Mike Lee, will compete in a June 22 primary. Running on populist platforms, they both have backing from tea-party supporters and have pledged to reduce the federal government’s size if elected.
The winner of the GOP nomination will be favored to win the general election in this heavily Republican state.