Teabagger wins Democratic nomination after losing Republican primary

[Heisenberg]

So he has no chance in the general?

Despite no Democratic candidate filing in the primaries, there are a decent bunt of Democrats in this district, so I imagine plenty of them will vote for Halvorson without knowing who he is. Add in those who voted for him in the primary, plus possibly some independent voters, and he has a chance. Of course, he said he'd switch right back to the GOP if elected.

[Heisenberg]

So he has no chance in the general?

Despite no Democratic candidate filing in the primaries, there are a decent bunt of Democrats in this district, so I imagine plenty of them will vote for Halvorson without knowing who he is. Add in those who voted for him in the primary, plus possibly some independent voters, and he has a chance. Of course, he said he'd switch right back to the GOP if elected.

Is this why Cook, Sabato, et al haven't put this race on their radar?

Probably. He really did say that he would do that, which makes sense, he would not fit in at all with the Democrats, and he is to the right of many Republicans. Whether the voters know it or not, the race is really between two (different types of) Republicans. Ironically, the one on the Democratic line is running to the right of the one on the Republican line.

[Heisenberg]

Who in the Democratic Party decided to leave this seat unchallenged anyway???

Shuster seems to be pretty popular in his district, and is somewhat of an entrenched incumbent. His father also held this seat for years before his son succeded him. Halvorson also unsuccessfully primaried Shuster in 2014 and lost. And the district is R+9, so the Democrats probably weren't expecting to win.

[Heisenberg]

Halvorson accepts the Democratic nod, will face Shuster in November.