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| US Republican Thad Cochran beats Mississippi Tea Party rival | US Republican Thad Cochran beats Mississippi Tea Party rival |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US Republican Senator Thad Cochran, who is seeking re-election, has narrowly beaten a Tea Party candidate in a high-profile primary in Mississippi. | US Republican Senator Thad Cochran, who is seeking re-election, has narrowly beaten a Tea Party candidate in a high-profile primary in Mississippi. |
| Mr Cochran, a six-term senator, had the backing of establishment Republicans but was forced into a run-off by Tea Party challenger Chris McDaniel. | Mr Cochran, a six-term senator, had the backing of establishment Republicans but was forced into a run-off by Tea Party challenger Chris McDaniel. |
| The race was seen as a crucial test of the direction of the Republican Party ahead of midterm elections in November. | The race was seen as a crucial test of the direction of the Republican Party ahead of midterm elections in November. |
| Moderate Republican candidates also won primary races in Oklahoma and Colorado. | Moderate Republican candidates also won primary races in Oklahoma and Colorado. |
| The BBC's Beth McLeod in Washington says Thad Cochran's victory, although narrow, will come as a relief for moderates who were faced with a challenge from hard-line conservative groups within the party. | |
| Earlier this month, establishment Republicans suffered the shock defeat of former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor by a little-known Tea Party challenger in his Virginia district. | Earlier this month, establishment Republicans suffered the shock defeat of former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor by a little-known Tea Party challenger in his Virginia district. |
| In a brief speech, Mr Cochran thanked those who supported him. | In a brief speech, Mr Cochran thanked those who supported him. |
| "It's a group effort, it's not a solo, and so we all have a right to be proud of our state tonight," he said. | "It's a group effort, it's not a solo, and so we all have a right to be proud of our state tonight," he said. |
| The 76-year old is expected to retain his seat in November's congressional elections. | The 76-year old is expected to retain his seat in November's congressional elections. |
| Mr McDaniel made no official concession, complaining of "dozens of irregularities". | |
| "We had a dream and the dream is still with us," he told supporters on Tuesday. "Today the conservative movement took a backseat to liberal Democrats in Mississippi." | |
| Mr Cochran had reached out to African-Americans and others who are traditionally Democratic voters in the state. Those who had not already voted in the Democratic primary several weeks ago were eligible to vote on Tuesday. | |
| The election was one of the most expensive primary fights this year, with $11.4m (£6.7m) in outside spending, according to The Hill newspaper. | |
| In other primary elections across the US: |