WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The Democratic Party got a boost from U.S. voters in four states, while Republicans were left wondering about their party's fate in November, analysts said.
The Democrats' big victory in Tuesday's primaries came from Sen. Michael Bennet, the Colorado Democrat who garnered a 9 percentage point win over Andrew Romanoff, who surged during the final weeks leading up to Tuesday's primary.
Analysts say the Colorado results, combined with returns in Connecticut, Georgia, and Minnesota -- along with other recent primaries -- indicate the belief that voter anger at incumbents would lead to sweeping GOP wins in November may need revising, Politico reported Wednesday.
In Georgia, an inconclusive primary meant GOP voters returned to the polls Tuesday to determine a gubernatorial nominee -- with similar results. Republicans emerged from their runoff almost evenly divided between Secretary of State Karen Handel and Rep. Nathan Deal. Deal appeared to have edged Handel, but Georgia law allows for a recount for any margin under 1 percent.
However, Handel later conceded though she trailed by only 0.4 percentage points with overseas and military ballots yet to be counted, The Washington Post reported, avoiding what could have been a lengthy recount.
In a statement, Handel said Republicans needed to unite immediately in order to beat former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes in the general election.
In Minnesota, after a hard fight that lasted until the early morning hours, State House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher conceded the Democratic gubernatorial primary to former Sen. Mark Dayton Wednesday.
In a statement, Kelliher said, "I just spoke with Mark Dayton and congratulated him on winning the DFL primary. I offered him my full support. He will make an excellent governor."
In Colorado, former Rep. Scott McInnis conceded the Republican primary for governor to Dan Maes.
Maes is an unlikely first-time candidate whose views have many Republican officials nervous about his electability, Politico reported.
McInnis pledged his support to Maes during a phone call Wednesday morning.
"This has been a tough year for Democrats, but they got some good news in all four primary states," University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato said. "Arguably, they chose well and strengthened themselves in the key contests, while Republicans often picked the weaker candidate for November. One good primary night does not an election make, and the GOP is still going to claim the lion's share of victories this fall. But thirsty Democrats are grateful for these four sips of water."
A prominent Republican, former congressman and MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough, agreed with Sabato's assessment, saying during a broadcast Tuesday, "These rolling elections have yielded results that should give the GOP reason to pause. A majority is not guaranteed."
Sabato told Politico that, despite the anti-incumbent, anti-Washington sentiment -- flamed in part by the Tea Party movement and a lousy economy -- 98.5 percent of House and Senate incumbents seeking another term have been re-nominated.
"I think what is remarkable is that, despite the Tea Party and a bad economy, the vast majority of incumbents are having little trouble winning," Sabato said.
