Marion Berry poised for comeback

He stood before a crowd of his supporters in the heart of Southeast Washington D.C. Tuesday night, his easy smile growing broader as he basked in the thunderous applause after winning the Democratic nomination for a city council seat .

For Marion Barry, it was another improbable victory in a political career that has defied expectations and dominated the city’s civic life for more than a generation.

“This is a victory not only for Marion Barry but for God and the people of Ward 8,” the 68-year-old Barry told the crowd. “There’s a new Ward 8 a-comin’ “

His supporters roared as they crowded the corner outside his campaign headquarters, hugging and raising their fists. “Resurrection!” shouted Desiree Walker, 44, who danced as she waited for Barry to take the microphone. “He’s just like Jesus, and he’s back, and now it’s time for Ward 8 to be resurrected.”

Here are other primary results from around the nation Tuesday:

New Hampshire

Two-term GOP Sen. Judd Gregg easily won the nomination in his re-election bid, and will meet Democrat Doris “Granny D” Haddock in the fall. The 94-year-old Haddock walked across the state in her campaign. First-term GOP Gov. Craig Benson defeated a little-known primary challenger. Millionaire businessman John Lynch beat state Rep. Paul McEachern to win the Democratic nomination.

New York

Veteran GOP Rep. Sherwood Boehlert trounced conservative David Walrath, who missed defeating him by only 2,700 votes two years ago. Also, longtime Democratic Rep. Major Owens won a three-way primary against two well-known City Council members from New York City. Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer was unopposed.

Rhode Island

Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy cruised to the nomination against a lesser-known opponent, while his 2002 challenger — former Navy SEAL David Rogers — was unopposed in his bid for the GOP nomination.

Vermont

Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy defeated token opposition. Businessman Jack McMullen, who lost the GOP primary to face Leahy six years ago, won the Republican nomination. First-term GOP Gov. James Douglas was unopposed, as was challenger Peter Clavelle, the mayor of Burlington.

Wisconsin

Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold had no primary challenge in his bid for a third term, while former Army Ranger Tim Michels won the GOP nod to challenge him in November. A prominent black state senator and a Republican attorney who served in the war in Iraq won their primaries to succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Jerry Kleczka.

Washington state

A Republican-dominated district in Seattle’s suburbs saw the law officer who caught the Green River serial killer, Sheriff Dave Reichert, leading three Republicans for the seat left open by retiring Rep. Jennifer Dunn. Reichert had 48 percent of the vote with 33 percent of precincts reporting.