NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander re-elected to 3rd term in US Senate.
Alexander was beating Democrat Gordon Ball in early returns Tuesday night.
Alexander emerged from a closer-than-expected primary campaign against state Rep. Joe Carr, and then he left little to chance against Ball in the general election campaign. Alexander shed his usual feel-good campaign image to harshly criticize his Democratic opponent in TV ads and in public appearances.
Alexander spent more than $8.6 million what was one the most difficult campaigns of his 40 years in Tennessee politics.
Ball tried to capitalize on anti-incumbent sentiment. He attempted to portray Alexander as out of touch with Tennessee voters.
