Democrat Tom Carper survived the first real primary challenge of his 17-year career representing Delaware in the Senate, beating progressive Kerri Evelyn Harris Thursday night.
Carper’s victory comes after a contentious primary that received increasing national attention in its final weeks as progressives, emboldened by wins in Florida and New York primaries, held out hope that Harris could come from behind. But he won by nearly 30 points.
Running on a platform of “Medicare for All” and debt-free college, Harris, 38, attacked Carper for his centrist, business-friendly ways. Carper, 71, lamented the impact Harris could have on Delaware and the Democratic Party writ large if she defeated him, arguing that the space for centrists would shrink in Congress.
Harris, an Air Force veteran, had little money to spend but received some staff help from progressive star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who defeated incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley. Taking no chances, Carper poured roughly $3.3 million into the primary contest and prevailed.
Though Harris’s longshot bid fell short, her campaign pressured Carper on an array of issues from the Iraq War to Carper’s support for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh when he was nominated to a lower court.
Harris also tried to make Medicare for all a wedge issue in the race, repeatedly attacking Carper for failing to support a single-payer system. Carper has declined to support Medicare for all but said he supports the concept.
Harris’s campaign captured a progressive sentiment dominating a number of contests across the country. Newcomer candidates have surged in contests, riding on a frustration with those in their party who are too conciliatory. Many progressives are demanding more aggressive leadership that will meet the challenges of Trump’s administration.
“Our elected officials are failing us. People have remained in power because they only give us just enough to gasp for air but not enough to actually breathe and thrive,” Harris says in one of her campaign ads.
In response, Carper touted his experience and ability to strike deals as a needed asset for Delaware, a state known for its embrace of centrist Democrats.
“It’s one thing to know the right thing to do; it’s another thing to actually do it,” he said in an August debate against Harris.
