Colorado Republican looks to avoid becoming the next Tea Party victim

Colorado Senate candidate Jane Norton could become the latest Republican to lose a primary to an upstart, Tea Party-backed challenger. Norton, a former lieutenant governor, was set to cruise to the GOP nomination after being handpicked for the race by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). But, like many other party-favored candidates, she has seen her challenger gain some momentum as the primary date draws nearer. In Colorado, Norton faces Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck in the August primary. Buck has seen his support surge in recent weeks as Tea Party candidates have scored victories in Nevada and Kentucky. Flaherty’s firm released a survey of Colorado primary voters Thursday that showed Buck leading Norton 42 percent to 32, with 26 percent undecided. It was an automated survey that wasn’t commissioned by the Buck campaign, Flaherty said. “We feel very comfortable about this survey.” The results from the June 8 poll show Buck has increased his support by 27 points, while Norton has lost nine points, since the firm’s last survey in March. “Momentum is now with Ken Buck,” Flaherty said...more