The GOP could lose its fifth of five big special elections in twoyears "” a development that has Republicans asking why the irregularraces continue to bedevil their party, even as it rebounds in otherways.

Some say Republicans haven't learned from their losses in three conservative districts last year, nor from an upstate New York special election in March.

Now the party's focus is on next Tuesday's special election in New York, to see if it can hold former Rep. John McHugh's (R-N.Y.) seat.

Operatives with special-election experience blame a familiar problem that has reared its head: the ugly primary.

There technically weren't any primaries in the race, but Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman did seek the...