Haslam wins Tennessee GOP primary for governor

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/08/06/art.haslam.file2.haslam.jpg caption ="Bill Haslam easily won his GOP primary in Tennessee on Thursday."](CNN) - Bill Haslam, the mayor of Knoxville and considered a moderate Republican, easily won the Tennessee GOP primary for governor Thursday, the Tennessee Department of State's website reported.

With all of the state's precincts reporting Haslam had 47.5 percent of the vote as he defeated Congressman Zach Wamp and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey.

Halsam, who helped fund some of his own campaign, will now face Mike McWherter, a Democratic businessman and son of a former governor. The race is to succeed Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, who is prevented by term limits from running for a third term. Political handicappers think Republicans have a good shot at winning back the governor's office.

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