Lugar’s Tea Party Loss Dims Republican Senate Prospects

Richard Lugar of Indiana, a six-term Senate veteran and one of the most influential lawmakers on foreign affairs, lost in a primary that underscored the dominance of anti-tax Tea Party activism against established Republican party leaders.

Yesterday’s victory by Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock in the Republican race improves Democrats’ odds of gaining the Senate seat in November. Republicans have experienced other setbacks in their drive to control the Senate, including some involving the party’s anti-government activists.