Boswell survives primary

Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) withstood a primary challenge Tuesday from former state Rep. Ed Fallon, leading him 60-40 with 90 percent of precincts reporting.

The Associated Press has called the race for Boswell.

{mosads}Fallon, who ran for governor in 2006, challenged Boswell from the left and provoked a serious response from Boswell and his supporters. Much of his candidacy was built on Boswell’s initial support for the Iraq war, which Fallon said endured far too long.

Boswell is a favorite for reelection but holds down a tenuous district. Attorney Kim Schmett was unopposed in the GOP primary.

The Republican primary to face freshman Rep. David Loebsack (D) was narrowly decided, with ophthalmologist Marianette Miller-Meeks defeating businessman Peter Teahen, 44-43.

The GOP Senate primary to face Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) was too close to call. With 99 percent of precincts in, businessman Christopher Reed led former state Rep. George Eichhorn by about 400 votes out of 70,000 cast.

In other Midwest races, state Rep. Joel Dykstra easily won the GOP nod to face Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), and the GOP race to face Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) was too close to call. With 52 percent of precincts reporting in that race, attorney and perennial candidate Bob Kelleher held a 13-point led.

None of the three Democratic-controlled Senate seats have drawn top challengers, despite them being early GOP targets.