McConnell Trounces Tea Party Challenger

Mitch McConnell of Kentucky dispatched his Tea Party challenger with ease tonight, and first-time candidate Michelle Nunn won the Democratic nomination for a Senate seat in George once held by her father, Sam Nunn. On a six-state primary night, Alison Lundergan Grimes easily captured the Democratic nomination to oppose McConnell in Kentucky in a race expected to be among the costliest and most competitive in the country. McConnell, a five-term lawmaker and the Senate minority leader, was pulling 60% of the vote, with challenger Matt Begin at about 36%.

Elsewhere, Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas and his Republican challenger, Rep. Tom Cotton, were nominated without opposition, clearing the way for their highly anticipated battle in November as the GOP labors to gain a Senate majority. With Pennsylvania Democrats eager to gain control of their statehouse, businessman Tom Wolf moved ahead in the first returns for the Democratic nomination. Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, unopposed for the GOP spot on the ballot, faces an uphill battle for re-election in November. (More Mitch McConnell stories.)