Freshman Rep. Adam Kinzinger defeated longtime Rep. Don Manzullo in the first Member-vs.-Member GOP primary of 2012. Kinzinger led 56 percent to 44 percent when the Associated Press called the race just after 11 p.m. EST. Kinzinger's victory may partially vindicate House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, whose endorsement of Kinzinger elicited outcries from the House Republican Conference. Last week, a super PAC run by a former Cantor aide also spent $52,000 on a radio ad to boost the freshman lawmaker. (more…)
