Democratic and Republican insiders say they feel the small number of legislative incumbents being challenged will be safe when the final vote is counted. In past election cycles, statehouse incumbents have fallen in their primary challenge, but sources predict that won't happen in 2008.

Here's a look at some of today's top legislative primaries:

*One Republican, Rep. Jim Van Engelenhoven of Pella, faces a primary opponent in Marc Held for his District 71 seat.

"I expect our incumbent will hold that seat," a Republican source said.

*Rep. Wayne Ford, D-Des Moines, has two challengers for his House District 65 seat -- Charles Hoffman and Tyler Reedy.  Rep. Deborah Berry, D-Waterloo, is being challenged in the primary by Waterloo's Don Shatzer for her District 22 seat. The third Democrat facing a primary opponent is Rep. Geri Huser, D-Altoona. Matt Ballard of Altoona is making a bid for Huser's District 42 seat.

Ballard is a strong proponent of fair share, which is an issue that failed to pass the House in the past General Assembly. However, insiders say Huser is respected in the district and votes for her constituents.

*State Rep. Walt Tomenga, R-Johnston, is retiring and two Republicans want his seat. Democrats haven't filed a candidate in the race so the winner of the June 3 primary could represent the district.

Tomenga is backing former University of Iowa basketball player and Drake hoops analyst Al Lorenzen of Granger. Lorenzen's opponent is Erik Helland. Helland worked on presumptive GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain's campaign last year. He is being backed by Iowans for Tax Relief and just earned the endorsement from the Iowa Right to Life organization.

Helland has been running ads on television and radio challenging Lorenzen's Republican values. One of Lorenzen's supporters is AFSCME. Insiders say Lorenzen has name ID, but Helland has outcampaigned the former hoops star since entering the race.

*There are two primary elections today for retiring Sen. Jeff Angelo's seat. It is a seat Democrats are hoping to build to their majority, and Republicans add it isn't a district they are ready to turn over quite yet.

Democrats seeking the seat are Kevin Wynn, a county supervisor and insurance agency owner from Corning; Ruth Smith, a physical therapist and Graceland University instructor from Lamoni and Matthew Brown of Thayer. On the Republican side of the aisle, Clarke County Treasurer Kim Reynolds faces Jim Parker of Villisca.

Sources say they feel Reynolds may have the edge going into today on the Republican side. On the Democratic ticket, Steve Waterman, who ran against Angelo in 2004, has endorsed Smith.

Labels: 2008_primary