The September 12th primaries are over, the results are in and almost all of the candidates endorsed by Citizens for Global Solutions Political Action Committee (Global Solutions PAC) have won. Global Solutions PAC endorsed globally-minded individuals in eight of the nine states holding primaries, from Arizona to Maryland to Rhode Island. The next step for these candidates is the November 7th elections.

Global Solutions PAC endorsed former state legislator Gabrielle Giffords in the Democratic primary in Arizona’s 8th District. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R), a strong leader on bipartisan foreign policy issues, is retiring at the end of this Congress, leaving the seat open to a variety of candidates. Ms. Giffords handily won her primary on the 12th and will face Republican Randy Graf in November.

On of the biggest winners was incumbent Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), who defeated Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey in a tightly contested Republican primary. Citizens for Global Solutions PAC endorsed Sen. Chafee in his primary.

Although Sen. Chafee’s victory came as a surprise to some, many of the other high-profile races played out to form. Ben Cardin (D-MD), who left his 3rd district seat to run for the open Senate seat left by retiring Senator Paul Sarbanes (D), won his primary over former Congressman Kweisi Mfume. For Mr. Cardin’s old seat, Global Solutions PAC proudly endorsed John Sarbanes (D). Mr. Sarbanes won his hotly contested primary race, coming out first over seven other Democratic candidates.

In Maryland’s 4th district, Global Solutions PAC endorsed Rep. Al Wynn (D). As of September 18th, the outcome of this race is still undecided. Ms. Donna Edwards offered a strong challenge to Rep. Wynn in the Democratic primary for this seat.

There are a few more primaries before Election Day, but the field is mostly set and a globally-minded Congress could be seated come January.

Contributing writer: Varietta Davis


Updated September 22, 2006