Arlen Specter has been defeated in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Specter changed parties last year, from Republican to Democratic, and was hoping to be re-elected this year.

Steve Komacki, a writer for Slate, appears to have been correct when he wrote a week ago that Specter should have run for re-election this year as an independent, not as a Democrat. The Pennsylvania Democratic primary is very close and Specter as an independent candidate would have had significant support from independent voters, from a substantial share of Democrats, and a substantial share of Republicans.

On May 17, the Louisiana Senate passed HB 292, which converts congressional elections to a system in which all candidates run in November. If no one gets 50%, there is a run-off in December.

Louisiana also used this system 1998 through 2006. Generally the incumbent runs for re-election and gets 50% or more, so there is no run-off.

According to this story, the Senate amended the bill so it takes effect this year. Now it must return to the House, to see if the House agrees with that change. The original bill didn’t take effect until 2011.

The Senate also passed SB 796, which is identical to HB 292 but which says the change won’t take effect until 2011. That bill also now goes to the House.

On May 18, the Connecticut Supreme Court heard arguments in the case over whether Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz is eligible to run for Attorney General. The Court heard arguments, and then ruled from the bench that she is not eligible. UPDATE: here is the Court’s one-page order.

It is virtually unheard of for any State Supreme Court to ever issue a ruling on the day it hears the argument. See this story. The Court’s opinion is not written yet. It appears that Bysiewicz lost on both arguments. First she argued that she is in compliance with a state law that says Attorney General candidates must have been actively practicing law for the past ten years. Then, alternatively, she argued that even if she does not meet that requirement, the law is unconstitutional because it adds to the qualifications contained in the State Constitution for Attorney General. But apparently neither argument worked. Thanks to Gene Berkman for this news.