Christine O’Donnell is the latest Tea Party backed candidate to send shock waves across the political landscape. O’Donnell took down nine-term Congressman Mike Castle to grab the Republican nomination for the U.S Senate seat previously held by Vice-President Joe Biden. “The people of Delaware have spoken,” said O’Donnell as she claimed victory in Dover. “No more politics as usual."
O’Donnell took 53.1 percent of the vote, Castle finished with 46.9 percent. The contentious battle between O’Donnell and the state GOP endorsed Castle helped draw 34 percent Republican turnout statewide, doubling the largest Republican primary turnout seen in the last 10 years.
Endorsements from the Tea Party Express and former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin fueled O’Donnell’s late surge against Castle. A weekend poll by Public Policy Polling indicated O’Donnell had actually moved ahead 47-44 percent in the final weeks of the campaign. But O’Donnell says the local Tea Party groups deserve just as much credit. “You guys are the visionary leaders that made this possible,” said O’Donnell. “You rallied everyday Americans outside of the political establishment, got them involved, and created a grass roots network that made all of this possible.”
Castle told his supporters in Wilmington he accepted the voters’ verdict on what was easily one of the most watched primaries in state history. "The last several weeks have been spirited, shall we say, and the voters in the Republican primary have spoken and I respect that decision,” said Castle. "Hopefully some of the legacy which I and all of you can leave behind will lead to improvement to make sure Delaware is single best state in which to live.”
Hear Mike Castle address his supporters after losing the Republican primary for U.S. Senate
O’Donnell did attempt to strike a conciliatory tone with Castle supporters and the State Republican Party, despite party officials efforts over the final weeks of the campaign to derail O’Donnell’s surging candidacy. “If those same people who fought against me, work just as hard for me, we will win.” said O’Donnell.
O’Donnell meets Democrat Chris Coons in November’s general election. Coons did not have a primary challenger.
