Republican Senator Thad Cochran has narrowly beaten Tea Party candidate Chris McDaniel in a high-profile primary in Mississippi.
Thad Cochran, a six-term senator seeking re-election, 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.
Moderate Republican candidates also won primary races in Oklahoma and Colorado.
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.
Senator Thad Cochran, 76, is expected to retain his seat in November’s congressional elections.
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