Ron Paul easily fends off primary challenges

By Ben Pershing

It looks like Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) -- the grassroots hero former presidential candidate who has so railed against Washington --- will be coming back to the capital next year.

Paul easily fended off three challengers in the Republican primary election Tuesday, taking 80 percent of the vote. Tim Graney finished second with 11 percent, while John Gay and Gerald Wall earned 5 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

The race earned national notice because the challengers accused Paul of becoming too entrenched in Washington and ignoring the needs of the 14th district. The incumbent fought back by touting all he'd done for his constituents, helped by a campaign war chest that dwarfed those of his opponents.

In the other Texas primary race of note, Republicans Bill Flores and Rob Curnock are headed to an April 13 runoff to decide which will be the nominee in the contest to take on Rep. Chet Edwards (D) in November. Edwards is high on the GOP's target lists, as Sen. John McCain (R-McCain) won the 17th district with 67 percent of the vote in the 2008 presidential campaign.