Ryan Nicol
Gary Farmer has lapped Jim Waldman in the Democratic primary for Senate District 34. With 98 of precincts reporting, Farmer ended miles ahead of Waldman, beating him 70 percent to 30 percent.
This contest was a rematch of 2016, when Waldman, along with Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, challenged Farmer for the Democratic nomination.
Farmer faced a barrage of attack ads throughout this campaign. Multiple mysterious money groups commissioned those ads against Farmer. Waldman denied any ties to those groups.
One in particular, paid by political committee Moms Speak Out, labeled Farmer a “sexist” and “obnoxious” over comments he made regarding state Sen. Lauren Book.
Back in March, Farmer reportedly pushed back against Book’s consideration for a Senate leadership post, implying her responsibilities as a mother may get in the way. Those comments caused Farmer to lose the support of state Sen. Kevin Rader. Farmer later apologized for the comments.
However, those negative ads didn’t appear to be enough to bring down the incumbent. Polling in early August, following the release of the ads, showed Farmer extending his lead.
Richard Hal Sturm filed to run as a write-in candidate, but is unlikely to put up much of a challenge to Farmer come Nov. 6.
