Lamar Alexander Defeats Tea Party Challenger In Tennessee Senate Primary

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) will once again have a shot at representing the state of Tennessee in the U.S. Senate, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

Alexander fended off a tea party candidate in the state's primary election on Thursday, securing the Republican nomination. He survived a challenge from Rep. Joe Carr (R-Tenn.), and will go on to face the Democratic nominee in November.

The incumbent has been serving in the Senate since 2003. He served as governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987, and ran unsuccessfully for president in 1996 and 2000.

Carr, the far-right candidate, had received endorsements from former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and conservative radio host Laura Ingraham. During the campaign, he criticized Alexander for being a "career politician," and attacked him for supporting immigration reform.

Dave Brat, the Republican professor who unexpectedly defeated Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) in the Virginia primary election earlier this summer, similarly attacked his opponent on his immigration stance. Carr was hoping for a similar upset, but wasn't as fortunate.