Black Congressman Loses Alabama Primary - NYT

By JEFF ZELENY

WASHINGTON – Representative Artur Davis of Alabama, who sidestepped the state’s black political leadership in hopes of building a diverse coalition of voters in his campaign for governor, was rejected on Tuesday by Democratic primary voters, with the state agriculture commissioner, Ron Sparks, seizing a decisive victory.

Mr. Sparks, who is white, won endorsements from the state’s four major black political groups, while Mr. Davis intentionally declined to seek their support. But his strategy of appealing to moderate voters fell short, ending his quest to become the state’s first black governor 47 years after George Wallace stood in the Alabama capitol and proclaimed “segregation forever.”

The voters of Alabama joined those in Mississippi and New Mexico on Tuesday in selecting their party’s nominees for House and Senate races. But the marquee contests were races for governor. With 58 percent of electoral precincts reporting, Mr. Sparks led Mr. Davis 65 percent to 35 percent.

Mr. Davis, a four-term member of Congress, campaigned on a bid to bring change to Alabama politics by building a coalition of white and black voters reminiscent of the strategy employed two years ago by Barack Obama in the presidential race. Mr. Davis similarly sought to play down race as a factor in the campaign.

Seven Republicans also sought their party’s nomination for governor in a race that featured a heated debate over immigration and expanding gambling in the state, but none emerged with more than 50 percent of the votes. The top two candidates will advance to a runoff election on July 13.

A sitting Republican congressman, Parker Griffith, also lost his primary challenge in Alabama. Last year, Mr. Griffith left the Democratic Party to become a Republican, hoping to boost his chances of winning re-election. But he fell short in a rematch with Mo Brooks, a county commissioner, whom Mr. Griffith narrowly defeated two years ago when he was a Democrat.

The National Republican Congressional Committee followed its policy of supporting incumbents and backed Mr. Griffith, even though he had been a Republican for only five months. With 57 percent of precincts reporting, Mr. Brooks led Mr. Griffith 51 percent to 34 percent.

Senator Richard C. Shelby of Alabama easily prevailed in his Republican primary, beating back a challenge from a Tea Party activist. Mr. Shelby, a four-term senator, was first elected as a Democrat in 1986, but changed parties in 1994 after Republicans won control of Congress. He is heavily favored in November against William Barnes of Birmingham, who was leading in the Democratic primary on Tuesday night.

Democrats also were watching for which opponent Republicans would select to run against Representative Bobby Bright in the Montgomery-centered 2nd Congressional District. A city councilwoman, Martha Roby, was the Republican establishment pick and the Tea Party candidate was former marine Rick Barber, a political novice. While Ms. Roby was leading in early returns, if she did not reach 50 percent, the contest was headed toward a runoff on July 13.

In New Mexico, Susana Martinez prevailed in a five-way Republican primary for governor, and will challenge Diane Denish, the Democratic lieutenant governor in the fall. Ms. Martinez, the Dona Ana County District Attorney who won the endorsement of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, supports the Arizona immigration law. Party strategists believe she gives Republicans the strongest chance of winning back the seat, which Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, has held for eight years.

In Mississippi, Republican primaries were being held in the 1st, 2nd and 4th Congressional Districts, while Democrats faced a primary in the 3rd Congressional District. No incumbents in the state faced primary challenges.

Carl Hulse contributed reporting from Washington.