KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Democratic Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri prevailed through four economic recessions, five presidents and 17 elections. Until now.
Missouri voters ousted the 78-year-old chairman of the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday in favor of Republican Vicky Hartzler. She's a former home economics teacher and state lawmaker who cast Skelton as an ally of President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Skelton had survived in a west-central Missouri district that tilts toward Republicans by cultivating a reputation as a military expert and social conservative who stayed connected to his constituents.
But Hartzler contended that Skelton had lost touch with the values of Missouri residents. Her ads trumpeted vote-tracking services showing he recently has sided with fellow Democrats about 95 percent of the time.
© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.