For the first time since he was elected in 1982, the majority of voters Tuesday did not back U.S. Rep. Dan Burton in the 5th Congressional District's Republican primary.
In fact, 70 percent voted against him. And it didn't matter.
Burton still won, collecting 30 percent of the vote -- enough to edge out six contenders and all but ensure him a 15th term in Congress, representing a district that has never sent a Democrat to Capitol Hill.
In November, Burton will face Democrat Tim Crawford, who defeated Nasser Hanna.
Former state Rep. Luke Messer came the closest yet to knocking off Burton, collecting 28 percent of the vote.
He and the other five challengers who ran against Burton tried to tap into a national mood swing against Washington incumbents and growing concerns about the policies of President Barack Obama, and it almost worked.
Politico earlier reported: "Health and pharmaceutical executives are throwing thousands of dollars to the Republicans challenging Indiana Rep. Dan Burton in next week's House primary, deepening the longtime industry critic's woes as he battles to capture his party's nomination." But a search of FEC records reveals that such contributions accounted for only a small fraction of Messer's total.
