If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Primaries

Tuesday is primary day in Kentucky (six House seats), Oregon (five House seats and Governor) and Pennsylvania (one Senate, 19 House and Governor). Both Oregon and Pennsylvania currently have Democrats in the Governor's seat.

Pennsylvania has one of the most anticipated Senate battles of the year, with Republican Sen. Rick Santorum expected to face Democratic State Treasurer Bob Casey. Casey is easily expected to win Tuesday's primary. There's no contest for Governor: incumbent Democratic Ed Rendell and challenger Republican Lynn Swann (the former football player and sports commentator) have no opposition in the primary.

Oregon conducts its primaries - like its elections - by mail. Tuesday is the last day to mail deliver a ballot (by hand, to the county clerk or in a drop box) in the primary, and Democratic Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski expects to be renominated. Republicans have three candidates to pick from: Republican voters, meanwhile, are choosing among three primary contenders: Kevin Mannix, who lost to Kulongoski by about three points in the 2002 race; state Sen. Jason Atkinson; and Ron Saxton, a former Portland school board member.

Edited to correct logisitics of Oregon balloting.