The junior member of the House Agriculture Committee, Vance McAllister, “has suddenly, improbably, become the man to beat this November,” says Roll Call. The Louisiana Republican rebounded from a marital infidelity scandal early this year that labeled him as the “kissing congressman.” McAllister initially said he would not run for re-election but changed his mind. A business owner, he spent $800,000 of his own money to win a special election last November. McAllister often aligns with the Tea Party but also supports stricter bank regulations. Seven other candidates – a Democrat, four Republicans and two libertarians – are running in the 5th congressional district. A recent poll gave McAllister 27 percent of the vote, 6 points ahead of his closest challenger, said Roll Call.
Tennessee Rep Scott DesJarlais, another Agriculture Committee member, held a 37-vote lead over state Sen Jim Tracy on Tuesday evening with provisional ballots counted in 10 of the 16 counties in the 4th congressional district, said broadcaster WBIR. It could be next week before results of the Aug 7 Republican primary will be finalized.