Boswell Wins Democratic Primary

Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) handily defeated a more-liberal Democratic primary rival, former state legislator Ed Fallon, and is now poised to win re-election to Congress for a seventh term.

With 79 percent of precincts reporting, Boswell defeated Fallon 59 to 41 percent. Boswell comfortably defeated Fallon in the Polk County/Des Moines base of the district – a county that Fallon actually carried in his unsuccessful gubernatorial primary bid in 2006.

Fallon failed to raise enough money to mount a full-fledged campaign, and lost badly in the more rural parts of the district. Despite touting himself as the progressive candidate, he was largely shut out from endorsements from major liberal groups – with his most significant endorsement coming from Democracy for America.

Boswell is heavily favored in the general election against former Congressional aide Kim Schmett (R), who only reported $33,000 cash-on-hand in mid-May, while Boswell banked about $710,000 in campaign cash.