Rand Paul wins GOP Senate primary in Kentucky

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Rand Paul won one for the tea party movement, conservatives and libertarian Republicans, cruising to victory in Kentucky's GOP Senate primary Tuesday night. Though they should have seen this one coming, Paul's big win will send shock waves through the Republican Party establishment, and it is an indicator of the mood of the electorate this midterm election season.

Paul had 59 percent of the vote—with returns counted from 29 percent of the precincts—to 37 percent for Secretary of State Trey Grayson, who had been recruited to run by the state's dominant Republican, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Paul was endorsed by Sarah Palin February 1. He also received endorsements from Sen. Jim Demint, Sen. Jim Bunning, Steve Forbes and Dr. James Dobson.

- JP