A week after suffering a big defeat in Wisconsin, Democrats were the ones celebrating on this latest Tuesday night, as their party kept control of a House seat most recently held by ex-Rep. Gabby Giffords, who resigned earlier this year to deal with the aftermath of injuries suffered in a 2011 assassination attempt.
The victory was a welcome change of pace for Democrats, who have suffered through a bad few weeks of late, marked by their defeat in Wisconsin, bad economic reports and unforced errors by President Obama and the White House.
A week ago it was Republicans who were talking about how Wisconsin voters had sent a message that would resonate into the November elections; this week it was Democrats pleased with the results of an election in a swing district that had a Republican advantage in voter registration.
Here was the statement issued early this morning from Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee:
"On behalf of the DCCC, congratulations to Ron Barber on his victory. Ron will bring his independent-minded approach and strong commitment to rebuilding the middle class to Congress and build on Gabby's legacy.
"Arizona's 8th Congressional district has more registered Republicans than Democrats, this race has been rated a toss-up throughout the election, and Republican outside groups outspent Democratic outside groups by more than $500,000. Ron Barber's strong campaign made this a referendum on the Republican plans to drastically cut Medicare and privatize Social Security, while giving massive tax breaks to millionaires, Big Oil and corporations that ship jobs overseas. The Republican plan lost.
"This campaign previewed the message fight that will play out across the country in November: Democrats committed to protecting the middle class, Social Security and Medicare versus misleading Republican attacks on Obamacare and national Democrats. The 84 Republicans representing districts more Democratic than this district are on notice that scoring political points instead of making progress on the economy, and looking out for millionaires, Big Oil, and companies that ship jobs overseas instead of the middle class is a losing position with voters."
There were no other surprises as seven states held votes for Congress on Tuesday; the worst result by an incumbent was Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, as the veteran Republican won his primary with 66% of the vote.
Not bad for the "worst" one.
