Democrat Linked to Derivatives Deals Wins Colorado Primary

Apparently burning the community you represent by cutting exotic deals with banks isn't a negative in the Democratic party:

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, who was backed by President Barack Obama, won his party’s nomination in Colorado yesterday in what was a test of the White House’s influence among Democrats.

Bennet, 45, beat former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, 43, who was endorsed by former President Bill Clinton. The split between the current U.S. chief executive and the past one helped spur nationwide interest in the primary contest.

Bennet will face Republican Ken Buck, 51, a favorite of Tea Party activists, in November’s general election. Analysts rate the race a tossup. Buck, a county prosecutor, yesterday defeated a primary opponent supported by the Republican Party’s national leadership.

In other news Ned Lament lost (again) and the surprisingly competitive Linds McMahon won the GOP nod:

In Connecticut, former World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. Chief Executive Officer Linda McMahon won the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, setting up a November match against Democrat Richard Blumenthal, the state’s attorney general.

Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy won the Democratic nomination for governor in Connecticut over businessman Ned Lamont, who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2006. Malloy in November faces Tom Foley, a former U.S. ambassador to Ireland, who captured the Republican nomination in a three- candidate race.