Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Ron Paul (R-TX) scored big wins last night, holding off primary challenges in their respective districts. After spending months in the presidential race, both congressmen dropped their long-shot bids and subsequently found themselves in trouble at home.

In Ohio's 10th District, Kucinich faced the toughest primary challenge of his career from Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman, a 10-year veteran of Cleveland city politics. Cimperman, however, could not overcome Kucinich's 40-year history in Cleveland, where he has built a loyal network of union support. Kucinich won 50%-35%, with three other candidates taking 14% of the vote. If every one of the other three candidates' voters had instead chosen Cimperman, Kucinich still would have won, though his margin of victory would have only been about 700 votes.

In Texas's 14th District, Paul faced just one Republican challenger, Friendswood city councilman Chris Peden, and defeated him by the wide margin of 70%-30%. Peden told Greg Bobrinskoy two weeks ago that internal polling showed him leading the incumbent. Conversely, the Paul campaign also claimed to have internal polling showing Paul leading by a large margin, which turned out to be accurate.

Both Kucinich and Paul have now faced their toughest challenges of the 2008 cycle, as both represent districts that make them safe in the general election. Ohio's 10th District gave John Kerry 58% of the vote in 2004, and Kucinich has won with at least 60% since 1998. Paul has won with at least 60% of the vote since 2000, and Bush carried his district with 67% in 2004.

--Kyle Trygstad