Machaela Cavanaugh defeated Theresa Thibodeau, who was appointed by Governor Pete Ricketts and Steve Lathrop defeated incumbent GOP Sen. Merv Riepe.
This passage describes a political race where Machaela Cavanaugh won against Theresa Thibodeau, appointed by Governor Pete Ricketts.  Steve Lathrop also won over incumbent GOP Senator Merv Riepe.