CNN and the AP call it: Attorney General Jack Conway has won the Democratic primary in the Kentucky Senate race, beating Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo in a vote of 44% to 43%, with 98% of precincts reporting.
Conway has 224,756 votes to Mongiardo’s 217,768. The winner will face Rand Paul this November.
Recent polls showed the race in a dead heat, with the final poll showing Mongiardo leading Conway by just three points. Conway spent more money, using TV ads to accuse Mongiardo of charging a New York steakhouse dinner to the state, but Mongiardo fought back. He used 15-second spots to attack Conway for accepting money from utility companies.
Conway is known as the more progressive candidate. He was praised by liberals for fighting state Republican efforts to sue the federal government over health care reform.
The TPM Poll Average for a Paul-Conway general shows Paul ahead by a margin of 44.7-38.4.
