HARTFORD, Conn. _ Matthew Corey, a Republican small business owner and the party-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate, emerged victorious in a primary Tuesday but faces a tough task ahead in November when he'll be running against Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy.
The Associated Press called the race around 8:45 p.m. EDT with about 15 percent of the vote reported.
Corey, 54, was in Manchester on Tuesday and said while he was emotionally exhausted, it felt good to have worked toward a victory.
"My hat's off to (opponent) Dominic Rapini," Corey said. "We both worked hard to move Connecticut forward, and I'm looking forward to working with him in the future."
The next step for Corey is to face Murphy, a Democrat, in November. But he said he isn't worried.
Corey said Murphy is too focused on the national stage and isn't paying enough attention to the needs of his constituents at home.
"I'm pretty confident he's going to lose by 10 points in the fall," Corey said. "He doesn't represent Connecticut anymore because he's forgotten Connecticut and what's important here."
Corey beat Rapini, a 57-year-old from Branford who works in sales for Apple.
Rapini raised more money and was running for the seat longer than Corey, but Corey is better known to Connecticut Republicans, having challenged Congressman John Larson in the past three elections.
Corey, who lives in Manchester, owns a high-rise window cleaning company and McKinnon's Irish Pub in downtown Hartford.
