have to ask the voters in their districts that question
And in "Linda's" case, the answer is, Democrats crossover to vote for him/her/it in the primary (in a field liberally seeded with straw candidates), and then don't put up any opposition in the general. Linda is their homie.
The GOPe is cool with the situation as well. It's only us voters that aren't.
I have not voted a straight ticket in 16 years, mainly because I refuse to register a vote for Linda.