PHOENIX (AP) — Sen. John McCain has defeated conservative challenger J.D. Hayworth in the Republican primary in his bid for a fifth term.
McCain faced an aggressive challenge from Hayworth two years after his tough loss in pursuit of the White House. Hayworth attempted to tap into anti-incumbent rage that has taken down other lawmakers this year while hammering the longtime senator on immigration.
McCain responded by spending nearly $20 million through Aug. 4 and taking a harder stance on border issues amid the debate over the controversial immigration law in Arizona.
McCain now begins a final 10-week push in what could be his last campaign. He will be heavily favored over the Democrat he will face.
In other primary news, political novice Rick Scott pushed past veteran Bill McCollum to win Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary Tuesday, and Rep. Kendrick Meek prevailed in the state’s Senate Democratic nomination over upstart Jeff Greene as voters split on the merits of establishment candidates vs. wealthy outsiders.
 
 
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