Tea Party’s Victory Endangers the GOP’s Goal of Retaking the Senate

On November 2, 2010, the United States midterm elections will take place in which 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 33 to 34 seats in the U.S. Senate will be occupied by a new elected official. Several U.S. states will also be electing their governors and state legislatures to four year terms. For voters, this is a perfect opportunity to implement change in the government and elect deserving and capable government officials.

At a time where the economic recession has caused turmoil on the American economy prompting the sudden increase in the rate of unemployment, citizens have been very concerned about the way the government is being handled by its officials. The failure of the Stimulus package and the inability of the present Obama administration to create jobs are greatly influencing the votes for the coming election. The GOP Republican party is expected to win the most number of seats enabling them to retain control of the U.S. Senate.

In an unexpected turn of events, the GOP’s primary aim of winning back control of both chambers of Congress may have turned into jeopardy. In the biggest electoral upset of the night, conservative activist Christine O'Donnell defeated longtime GOP Representative Mike Castle in Delaware's Republican Senate primary. O’Donnell is politically endorsed by the Tea Party Express while Castle, who as a GOP loyalist, is a considered moderate who once served as the state’s governor.

The Tea Party Express spent $250,000 at the last minute to boost O’Donnell’s campaign. The result paid off by getting 47% of the votes as opposed to 44% for Castle. With the win, top Republican politicians in Washington are now seeing the possibility of a GOP defeat for the Delaware seat come the midterm elections this November. It is interesting to note that O’Donnell’s victory is the eight instance where a Tea Party-endorsed candidate has defeated an established GOP contender. Two weeks ago, Joe Miller, who is backed by the Tea party, defeated Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski for the primary.

Traditionally, the state of Delaware strongly favors electing moderate candidates. According to a Public Policy Polling, only 31 percent of the Delaware voting population believes that O'Donnell is fit and capable to hold office. According to the latest PPP survey, she is trailing Democrat opponent Chris Coons by 16 points. It has also been reported that the GOP might even refrain from using money to aid O’Donnell for the race. The GOP will now have an almost impossible task considering that Delaware was used to be GOP stronghold.