Sen. Tom Carper wins Delaware Democratic primary, fending off challenge from the left

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) won his nomination for a fourth term in Thursday's Democratic primary, fending off a challenge from progressive activist Kerri Evelyn Harris, 65 percent to 35 percent. Harris' campaign got a boost after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez unseated longtime Rep. Joseph Crowley (D) in New York, and Ocasio-Cortez sent staff to help Harris while other progressive groups contributed resources. Carper, 71, had time to adjust to the challenge from the antiestablishment left, and he outspent Harris 10 to 1 in the primary.

Carper has won 12 general elections in Delaware — he was governor for two terms, a congressman for five terms, and senator for three terms, among other offices — and lost none. And he is favored to win in November over Sussex County councilman Rob Arlett, the victor in Thursday's Republican primary. Arlett, who chaired President Trump's Delaware campaign, beat former PayPal executive Gene Truono, 67 percent to 28 percent. In a sometimes nasty primary, Arlett, 51, staked out socially conservative positions against abortion, immigration, and gay marriage. When asked the biggest difference between himself and Truono, who is gay, Arlett told the News Journal, "I'm married to a woman, and he is not."

Republicans also chose businessman Scott Walker to challenge first-term Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) for Delaware's lone U.S. House seat.

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