WASHINGTON _ GOP Sen. John Barrasso, a member of Republican leadership, fended off a primary challenge Tuesday night in Wyoming.
Barrasso had garnered 65 percent of the vote while Dave Dodson, his next closest primary opponent, had won 29 percent when The Associated Press called the race with 21 percent of precincts reporting.
Dodson had self-funded much of his campaign, loaning his campaign $1 million. A local newspaper had endorsed Dodson over Barrasso, but Barrasso prevailed.
Barrasso, the chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, said in the Senate basement Tuesday afternoon that he was "confident" about his primary election. He noted he was returning to Wyoming later on Tuesday.
Barrasso will face Democratic businessman Gary Trauner in November, who was the only Democrat on the ballot for the Wyoming Senate race.
Although Barrasso likely spent more campaign funds ahead of the primary, he is still set to have a sizable financial advantage over Trauner in the general election. Barrasso ended the pre-primary reporting period with $5.4 million on hand, while Trauner had $265,000.
President Donald Trump carried Wyoming by 48 points in 2016. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the Wyoming Senate race Solidly Republican.
