Established Politicians Dominated in Tuesday Primaries

In stark contrast to the 2010 elections, established politicians dominated primaries on Tuesday night. Tea Party candidates and businessmen just couldn't pull out wins like they did two years ago when the Republicans gained control of the House.

In Michigan, former Rep. Pete Hoeskstra easily won the GOP senate primary over former state Board of Education president Clark Durant. He still faces a rough road ahead as a serious underdog against incumbent Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow. Democratic Rep. John Conyers also was successful in beating out four primary challenges, and two-term Democratic Rep. Gary Peters also defeated the one-term Rep. Hansen Clarke by 12 points.

In Missouri, Rep. Todd Akin came out on top in a three-way Republican primary against two opponents considered to be political outsiders - businessman John Brunner and ex- state Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Akin will thus face off in November against Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, who is considered to be the most vulnerable Senate incumbent of 2012. Democratic Reps. William Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan were both pitted against eachother, with the more senior Clay capturing 63 percent of the vote.