Wabash Candidate Primary Results

Wabash Always Fights, and tonight is no exception. Tonight, three Republican Wabash men, running against strong candidates in three separate congressional districts, have had impressive showings.

Todd Rokita, whose primary opponent Brandt Hershman was endorsed by the incumbent Congressman Steve Buyer, won an overwhelming victory tonight, taking 41% of the vote to Hershman’s 15%, with 94% of the precincts reporting.

Luke Messer, facing off against incumbent Congressman Dan Burton, very nearly wrestled the GOP nomination away from the 28-year political veteran. Burton was declared the victor with 99% of precincts reporting – he garnered only 30% of the vote, to Messer’s 28%. There were five additional candidates on the Republican ticket, and if any of them had dropped out, this would have been a very different race. If Republicans attempting to unseat Burton learn a lesson from tonight, they will coalesce around one man next time. And if tonight’s showing is any indicator, that man will be Luke Messer.

Carlos May faced an uphill battle in his primary against five-time 7th District candidate Marvin Scott, but he never let the challenge slow him down. With 96% of precincts reporting, May is running behind Scott, 44% to 37%. As with Messer, a spoiler candidate seems to have contributed May’s defeat. Wayne Harmon is taking 19% of the vote.

A fourth Wabash man, Charlie White, is expected to be nominated as the candidate for Secretary of State by delegates at the GOP State Convention in Indianapolis this June.

Update via WISHTV: Rokita’s Acceptance Speech

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• Congressional Candidate Carlos May ‘01 to Speak with College Republicans
• College Republicans to Host Luke Messer ‘91