LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rand Paul defeated Republican establishment favorite Trey Grayson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. It was a closely watched race that was a test of the tea party movement's strength.
Paul, the son of former presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, on Tuesday provided the tea party its first victory in a statewide election. It could embolden the fledgling political movement in other states.
With 31 percent of precincts reporting, Paul was leading with 59 percent of the vote to Grayson's 37 percent.
Paul is a 47-year-old Bowling Green eye surgeon who had never before run for office and turned to the Internet fundraising model used by his father to pay for his campaign. Grayson stayed competitive drawing heavy financial support from traditional GOP donors inside Kentucky.
Rand Paul Projected to Win in KY
