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Jim DeMint's tea party candidates

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has supported candidates the Republican party establishment has either ignored or actively campaigned against.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) angered some in his party by endorsing Christine O'Donnell late in her Delaware Senate primary race. Many believe her victory over nine-term Rep. Mike Castle has thrown the Delaware race to the Democrats and hurt the chances of a GOP takeover in the Senate.

Sept. 15, 2010

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) angered some in his party by endorsing Christine O'Donnell late in her Delaware Senate primary race. Many believe her victory over nine-term Rep. Mike Castle has thrown the Delaware race to the Democrats and hurt the chances of a GOP takeover in the Senate.

Rob Carr-AP

Florida GOP Senate nominee Marco Rubio has called DeMint his favorite senator. Returning the favor, DeMint has said he'd prefer a minority full of Marco Rubios rather than a majority that doesn't adhere to conservative principles.

Sept. 15, 2010

Florida GOP Senate nominee Marco Rubio has called DeMint his favorite senator. Returning the favor, DeMint has said he'd prefer a minority full of Marco Rubios rather than a majority that doesn't adhere to conservative principles.

Joe Burbank-AP

DeMint endorsed Dr. Rand Paul, the eventual winner of the Republican Senate nomination in Kentucky, even though the top-ranking Republican in the Senate and fellow Kentuckian, Mitch McConnell, backed Paul's opponent: Trey Grayson.

Sept. 15, 2010

DeMint endorsed Dr. Rand Paul, the eventual winner of the Republican Senate nomination in Kentucky, even though the top-ranking Republican in the Senate and fellow Kentuckian, Mitch McConnell, backed Paul's opponent: Trey Grayson.

Hunter Wilson-AP

DeMint endorsed New Hampshire Republican Senate hopeful Ovide Lamontagne, who narrowly lost a tight race to establishment favorite and former New Hampshire attorney general Kelly Ayotte.

Sept. 8, 2010

DeMint endorsed New Hampshire Republican Senate hopeful Ovide Lamontagne, who narrowly lost a tight race to establishment favorite and former New Hampshire attorney general Kelly Ayotte.

Jim Cole-AP

Former state Sen. Dino Rossi ran against Democratic Sen. Patty Murray in a competitive race in Washington state. "When I met with Dino a couple months ago, he made it clear he was only interested in running if Republicans were serious about saving our country from fiscal collapse," DeMint said as he announced his endorsement.

Aug. 17, 2010

Former state Sen. Dino Rossi ran against Democratic Sen. Patty Murray in a competitive race in Washington state. "When I met with Dino a couple months ago, he made it clear he was only interested in running if Republicans were serious about saving our country from fiscal collapse," DeMint said as he announced his endorsement.

Ted S. Warren-AP

Republican Senate candidate Joe Miller campaigns door-to-door in Anchorage, Alaska in August. Both DeMint and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin endorsed Miller in his successful primary challenge of incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Aug. 2, 2010

Republican Senate candidate Joe Miller campaigns door-to-door in Anchorage, Alaska in August. Both DeMint and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin endorsed Miller in his successful primary challenge of incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Mark Thiessen-AP

Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle is in a tight race against Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada. Angle said DeMint was among a handful of legislators who "already think like I do."

June 8, 2010

Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle is in a tight race against Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada. Angle said DeMint was among a handful of legislators who "already think like I do."

Isaac Brekken-AP

Ken Buck defeated the Republican Party establishment's preferred candidate in Colorado, former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, winning the Colorado GOP primary with the support of the tea party and Sen. Jim DeMint.

May 22, 2010

Ken Buck defeated the Republican Party establishment's preferred candidate in Colorado, former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, winning the Colorado GOP primary with the support of the tea party and Sen. Jim DeMint.

David Zalubowski-AP

Indiana State Sen. Marlin Stutzman, backed by DeMint, lost his bid for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.). Indiana Republicans later tapped Stutzman to compete against Democrat Tom Hayhurst for the House seat of scandal-plagued Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.).

Indiana State Sen. Marlin Stutzman, backed by DeMint, lost his bid for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.). Indiana Republicans later tapped Stutzman to compete against Democrat Tom Hayhurst for the House seat of scandal-plagued Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.).

Joe Raymond-ASSOCIATED PRESS

DeMint endorsed tea party-backed Senate candidate Mike Lee, who defeated Sen. Bob Bennett in the Utah GOP primary. Lee is now the favorite to win Bennett's seat.

DeMint endorsed tea party-backed Senate candidate Mike Lee, who defeated Sen. Bob Bennett in the Utah GOP primary. Lee is now the favorite to win Bennett's seat.

Jason Olson-Deseret News

With DeMint's support, Rep. Jerry Moran, (R- Kan.) defeated Palin-backed Rep. Todd Tiahrt in the 2010 GOP Senate primary to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.). He is very likely to become the state's next senator.

With DeMint's support, Rep. Jerry Moran, (R- Kan.) defeated Palin-backed Rep. Todd Tiahrt in the 2010 GOP Senate primary to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.). He is very likely to become the state's next senator.

Evan Vucci-ASSOCIATED PRESS

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