New York, Delaware | featured news

After a three-week lull, the Republican presidential primaries resume on Tuesday when five Northeastern states -- Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island -- have their say.

Democrats in Connecticut and New York are reasserting their traditional edge over GOP candidates who just weeks ago were making it a tight race. There's more: Democrats have made gains in Washington, Delaware and California, and could retain their seats in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Nevada.

A win certified Wednesday in the Senate primary in New Hampshire for a candidate backed by the Republican establishment helped offset earlier primary election victories in Delaware and New York by Tea Party-backed insurgents. In New Hampshire, former attorney general Kelly Ayotte was named the winner in the Republican primary for Senate, marking a narrow victory over conservative lawyer Ovide Lamontagne, who campaigned with the support of Tea Party activists. Ayotte had the support of the Republican Party and former Alaska governorSarah Palin in her bid for the seat held by retiring GOP Sen. Judd Gregg. Ayotte will face off in November against Rep. Paul Hodes, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary.