Biggest primary day of 2010: 12 states go to polls

A crucial set of elections is taking place from California to Maine, with much attention on a Senate runoff in Arkansas.

Gubernatorial candidate and former eBay chief Meg Whitman celebrates with supporters after winning the Republican nomination for California governor in Los Angeles.

Lucy Nicholson-Reuters

Gubernatorial candidate Whitman hugs her husband Griffith Harsh IV after winning the primary.

Lucy Nicholson-Reuters

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), reacts to seeing a friend, as her husband Steve Lincoln looks on after the senator won the Democratic primary runoff election in Little Rock, Ark.

Danny Johnston-AP

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle waves to supporters as she arrives at the Clark County Republican Party gathering in Las Vegas. Angle, who was endorsed by the Tea Party Express, will face Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) in the general election.

Ethan Miller-Getty Images

Rep. Nikki Haley, (R-Lexington), who garnered the most votes in the GOP gubernatorial primary gives a victory speech to supporters at the Capital City Club in Columbia, S.C., as her family, husband Michael, son Nalin and daughter Rana look on. Haley will face Rep. Gresham Barrett in a runoff election in two weeks for the GOP nomination.

Rich Glickstein, The State-AP

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) greets supporters as her husband, Steve, watches. Lincoln beat Lt. Gov. Steve Halter in the primary.

Danny Johnston-AP

Arkansas Lt. Gov. Bill Halter acknowledges his supporters during his concession speech in Little Rock.

Carlos Osorio-AP

As California faces a massive budget gap, Meg Whitman finds her business background gives her the edge in GOP gubernatorial primary.

Lucy Nicholson-Reuters

U.S. Senate candidate and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina celebrates her primary win with her husband Frank Fiorina, right, at the California Republican Party event on primary election night in Anaheim, Calif. Fiorina hopes to unseat Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer who is in a virtual tie with Republican challenger Tom Campbell, according to a recent poll.

David Mcnew-Getty Images

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner fell short against Meg Whitman after she spent nearly $80 million, much of it her own money. Whitman will face state Attorney General Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr., who served two terms as governor three decades ago, in what is expected to be one of the costliest and most competitive contests this fall.

Lori Shepler-Reuters

In South Carolina, state Rep. Nikki Haley ran far ahead of her three male rivals for the Republican gubernatorial nomination with 49 percent of the vote. But she fell just short of the 50 percent needed to avoid a June 22 runoff.

Rich Glickstein/rglickstein@thes-AP

Supporter Ellice Baca, left, looks on as Nevada Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle speaks at the Clark County Republican Party gathering in Las Vegas after her primary victory.

Ethan Miller-Getty Images

California Republicans also nominated former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina to take on Sen. Barbara Boxer (D), whose lackluster poll ratings have made her appear vulnerable in November.

Chris Carlson-AP

South Carolina Republican candidate for governor, Rep. Nikki Haley and her husband Michael Haley react to news of an early lead while watching the returns come in.

Brett Flashnick-AP

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster addresses supporters in his bid to be the Republican candidate for governor. South Carolina state Rep. Nikki Haley will advance to a runoff for the spot as the clear favorite.

Mary Ann Chastain-AP

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Abbott talks with his supporters at his primary party in Portland, Maine.

Robert F. Bukaty-AP

Republican candidate for Georgia's 9th Congressional District Tom Graves greets supporter Col. Oscar Poole during an election-night party in Jasper, Ga.

John Bazemore-AP

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Rowe, joined by wife Amanda, speaks to supporters.

Joel Page-AP

In South Carolina, state Rep. Tim Scott got the most votes Tuesday to advance to the June 22 runoff for the 1st District seat. He faces Paul Thurmond, a Charleston County councilman and son of the late U.S. senator, in the GOP congressional runoff.

Brad Nettles-AP

California Attorney General Jerry Brown speaks to reporters before polls close.

Mark J. Terrill-AP

Republican gubernatorial candidate Les Otten, right, speaks to reporters at his primary election night party.

Robert F. Bukaty-AP

South Carolina Democratic candidate for governor Jim Rex holds his 6-month-old granddaughter, Olivia, as he waits with his wife Sue on the results.

Mary Ann Chastain-AP

California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman takes the stage during a walk-through before an election night gathering Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Jae C. Hong-AP

Nevada Republican Senate candidate Senate Danny Tarkanian votes.

Isaac Brekken-AP

Tom Campbell, who is running in California's Republican U.S. Senate primary, campaigns at the Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill in Palo Alto, Calif.

Paul Sakuma-AP

Nevada Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rory Reid, left, checks in to vote in Henderson, Nev.

Isaac Brekken-AP

State Rep. Nikki Haley, Republican gubernatorial hopeful, arrives with her husband, Michael Haley, and their two children to vote Tuesday at Mount Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington, S.C.

Gerry Melendez-AP

Steve Poizner, candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in the California primary, talks to a voter at a campaign phone bank in Torrance, Calif., Tuesday. Campaign volunteer Kathy Scott is at left.

Reed Saxon-AP

South Carolina GOP candidate for governor, State Attorney Gen. Henry McMaster, center, thanks volunteers at his campaign headquarters Tuesday. McMaster is one of four seeking the nomination.

Mary Ann Chastain-AP

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Nikki Haley casts her vote with her son Nalin at Mount Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington, S.C.

Gerry Melendez-AP

Election officer Kay Howgate keeps an eye on campaigners and drive-up voters Tuesday in Fredericksburg, Va.

Robert A. Martin-AP

A voter arrives at a Las Vegas polling place Tuesday to cast a ballot in Nevada's primary.

Isaac Brekken-AP

June 8

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) and her husband, Steve Lincoln, leave their polling place in Little Rock. The incumbent senator, if she wins the runoff, would campaign in the general election for a third term.

Danny Johnston-AP

June 8

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster signs in at his polling site in Columbia. He is battling a crowded field for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Kim Foster-Tobin-AP

June 8

Steve Poizner, seeking California's Republican gubernatorial nomination, votes in San Jose.

Paul Sakuma-AP

June 8

Carly Fiorina has made her pick in the California primaries. She is seeking the GOP nomination for a U.S. Senate seat.

Robert Galbraith-Reuters

June 8

Nikki Haley speaks with the media after casting her vote. Once considered the underdog in the four-way GOP primary for South Carolina governor, Haley is now seen as the front-runner.

Gerry Melendez-AP

A voter fills out her ballot in Oakland, Calif.
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Among the state's issues is Proposition 14, which would end party primaries now in place to select candidates for the general election.

June 8

A voter fills out her ballot in Oakland, Calif.

Among the state's issues is Proposition 14, which would end party primaries now in place to select candidates for the general election.

Justin Sullivan-Getty Images

June 8

Arkansas Lt. Gov. Bill Halter is in a runoff against incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D). Neither won a decisive victory in the primary May 18, which included a third candidate.

Carlos Osorio-AP

June 8

Arkansas Lt. Gov. Bill Halter places his ballot in a tabulating machine in North Little Rock.

Carlos Osorio-AP

June 8

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) hugs a supporter in Forrest City, Ark. She is among Democratic candidates facing a tough fight; organized labor has been heavily funding her opponent in the runoff.

Danny Johnston-AP

June 7

Sen. Blanche Lincoln, right, with cousin Martha Murphy in their home town of West Helena, Ark. Lincoln has President Obama's support, but after the May 18 primary, she called on former president Bill Clinton to further shore up her campaign.

Danny Johnston-AP

June 7

Carly Fiorina is seeking the GOP nomination for one of California's U.S. Senate seats. Sarah Palin is among those endorsing her campaign.

Gregory Bull-AP

June 5

GOP candidate Carly Fiorina, at a phone bank in Gold River, Calif., faces two challengers in the Senate primary.

Rich Pedroncelli-AP

June 6

Former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman, center, is favored to be California's GOP gubernatorial nominee.

Rich Pedroncelli-AP

June 5

Meg Whitman attends a campaign rally in Fullerton, Calif. The GOP nominee is expected to face former governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr. in the general election to succeed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Chris Carlson-AP

May 28

Steve Poizner trails his opponent, Meg Whitman, in the bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in California.

Justin Sullivan-Getty Images

May 28

Steve Poizner meets with supporters in San Carlos, Calif. His opponent in the GOP primary has poured more than $70 million of her own money into the campaign.

Justin Sullivan-Getty Images

June 8

Nevada Republican Senate candidate Danny Tarkanian, center, and wife Amy at their Las Vegas polling site. Clark County's numbers could be key in a Tarkanian victory.

Isaac Brekken-AP

June 6

Nikki Haley is aiming to avoid a runoff for the South Carolina GOP governor's nomination. Recent attacks on her -- including allegations of extramarital affairs -- seem to have given her campaign a boost.

Sabree Hill for The Washington Post

June 1

The crowded field of Republican hopefuls for the South Carolina governorship includes, from left, U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and state Attorney General Henry McMaster.

John D. Russell-AP

May 18

Sue Lowden is hoping to be the Republican to take on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) this fall. The "tea party" is expected to play a major role in the state's GOP contest.

Isaac Brekken-AP

May 18

Sharron Angle, endorsed by the Tea Party Express in her bid for the U.S. Senate seat in Nevada, faces two formidable challengers in the GOP primary.

Isaac Brekken-AP

Gallery Credits:
Producer, Photo Editor Stephen Cook

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This Story Primaries and polls show tea party's organizational struggles Article \| The national "tea party" movement's recent winning streak broke with Tuesday's primary results, providing fresh evidence of the decentralized conservative network's struggle to convert activist anger and energy into electoral results. On a big day for women, gender was no big deal THE TAKE: Calif. gubernatorial race seen as touchstone for 2010 politics Republican voters toss Harry Reid a softball S.C. Democrat urged to quit Senate race over obscenity charge Are Harry Reid and Democrats in 'very deep trouble?' Lincoln's Ark. runoff win points to power of black voters Primary Analysis video: Bob Schieffer Progressives: Lincoln runoff sent warning to incumbent Democrats Right Now: Does Sarah Palin get credit for Tuesday's victories? Biggest primary day of 2010: 12 states go to polls Lincoln's victory prompts new speculation about regulatory reform bill		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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Biggest primary day of 2010: 12 states go to polls

A crucial set of elections is taking place from California to Maine, with much attention on a Senate runoff in Arkansas.

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