There are a variety of reasons why, but for several of the senators there was a more personal component to their decision to wade into a contested primary between two GOP House colleagues: a C Street connection.
Moran is a resident of the three-floor, red brick town house at 133 C St. S.E. that functions as a group home for 10 lawmakers and a sanctuary for prayer and Bible study. Tiahrt only occasionally attended events there.
While none of Moran’s C Street housemates, Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), nor C Street frequenter Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) says the C Street bond was the driving force behind their endorsements, Thune and DeMint acknowledge that the relationships forged there played a role in their decision-making process.
“You have an opportunity when you’re around other people to get to know them, and, obviously, I think it makes a difference,†said Thune. “I think Jerry has cultivated a lot of relationships with senators, and it’s paid off.â€