Tea Party surges in U.S. Republican primaries

The conservative Tea Party movement has won several victories over mainstream U.S. Republicans in primary contests ahead of November's mid-term elections. Tea Party-backed Christine O'Donnell beat veteran Congressman Mike Castle for the Senate nomination in Delaware. Tea Party surges in U.S. Republican primaries A Tea Party candidate also won the race to stand for New York governor. People in seven states and Washington DC voted to pick party candidates, in what is seen as a useful indicator of the mood within the parties. Republicans are hoping to benefit from anger over the U.S. economy to win both houses of the U.S. Congress in November. The grassroots Tea Party movement - which favours tax and spending cuts - emerged as a force in American politics only last year. But observers say it has had a powerful effect on the Republican Party's choice of candidates for November and is seriously challenging the party's establishment. Tea Party-backed candidates had earlier won Senate nominations in Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky and Alaska. O'Donnell, a little-known marketing consultant, had been endorsed by Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2008 who has the support of Tea Party activists. O'Donnell told supporters at a victory rally that her cause was to "restore America". "The people of Delaware have spoken. No more politics as usual," she said. She will now compete in Delaware against Chris Coons, the Democratic candidate for a Senate seat formerly held by Vice-President Joe Biden. Before the result was known, Republican officials had warned that they would not fund O'Donnell if she won the primary. Analysts believe she has little chance of winning the seat, and her primary win could hurt Republican chances of taking control of the chamber. Meanwhile, Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty lost the city's Democratic primary to DC Council chairman Vincent Gray, just four years after sweeping into office with unprecedented support. And Tea Party ally Carl Paladino beat the Republican party's chosen candidate Rick Lazio in the race for the nomination to stand for New York governor.

Tea Party surges in U.S. Republican primaries

A Tea Party candidate also won the race to stand for New York governor.

People in seven states and Washington DC voted to pick party candidates, in what is seen as a useful indicator of the mood within the parties.

Republicans are hoping to benefit from anger over the U.S. economy to win both houses of the U.S. Congress in November.

The grassroots Tea Party movement - which favours tax and spending cuts - emerged as a force in American politics only last year.

But observers say it has had a powerful effect on the Republican Party's choice of candidates for November and is seriously challenging the party's establishment.

Tea Party-backed candidates had earlier won Senate nominations in Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky and Alaska.

O'Donnell, a little-known marketing consultant, had been endorsed by Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2008 who has the support of Tea Party activists.

O'Donnell told supporters at a victory rally that her cause was to "restore America".

"The people of Delaware have spoken. No more politics as usual," she said.

She will now compete in Delaware against Chris Coons, the Democratic candidate for a Senate seat formerly held by Vice-President Joe Biden.

Before the result was known, Republican officials had warned that they would not fund O'Donnell if she won the primary.

Analysts believe she has little chance of winning the seat, and her primary win could hurt Republican chances of taking control of the chamber.

Meanwhile, Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty lost the city's Democratic primary to DC Council chairman Vincent Gray, just four years after sweeping into office with unprecedented support.

And Tea Party ally Carl Paladino beat the Republican party's chosen candidate Rick Lazio in the race for the nomination to stand for New York governor.