Conservative Insurgent Fischer Wins Senate GOP Nomination in Nebraska

Nebraska state senator Deb Fischer won a come-from-behind victory over her opponents in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, the Associated Press reports:

The 53-year-old Fischer overcame low name familiarity and being outspent by two competitors to win the nomination in Tuesday's election.

She was backed by 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and former presidential candidate Herman Cain.

Fischer ran against attorney general Jon Bruning and treasurer Don Stenberg, candidates with higher name identification across the state. A late surge, fueled partly by her endorsement from Palin and what the New York Times called a "salty" television ad, propelled Fischer over the better-funded Bruning by nearly 9,000 votes.

Fischer will face former governor and senator Bob Kerrey, a Democrat, in the general election. (Incumbent Democrat Ben Nelson is retiring.) Kerrey faces an uphill battle against Fischer, who was polling ahead of Kerrey all the way back in March, several weeks before she became a serious contender for the GOP nomination.

The victory for the conservative Fischer may bode well for upcoming Republican primaries, including the Texas Senate primary on May 29. Ted Cruz, another recipient of a Palin endorsement, is squaring off against establishment favorite David Dewhurst in the Lone Star State.