More Election News

• FL: McCollum Still Refuses to Back Scott
• VA-11: Connolly-Fimian Race Shows What Dems Are Up Against
• CT: McMahon Steps Up Pace, Makes Race Competitive
• VT: Officials Start Reviewing Primary Votes
• FL-24: Adams' Edge Just Enough to Secure Spot in November Faceoff
• SC: Clyburn Won't Vote for Greene
• LA: Despite Scandals, Vitter the Heavy Favorite in Primary
• AZ: Will Immigration Law Be the Decisive Issue?
• AL-2: Dem Bobby Bright Jokes About Pelosi's Death
• FL: Race Starts Without Clear Favorite
• FL: Turnout Shows Enthusiasm Gap
• AZ-3: Surprise Victor in a Packed Race: Dan Quayle's Son
• KY: Conservative Group Fires First Shot in Ad War

Self-financed outsider Rick Scott pulled off a surprising victory in the Florida Republican gubernatorial primary, defeating state attorney general and GOP establishment favorite Bill McCollum. Scott will face off in November against Democrat Alex Sink to replace Republican turned independent Charlie Crist, who is locked in a heated Senate seat battle.

In the Florida Senate race, Crist will compete as an independent against Republican Marco Rubio and Rep. Kendrick Meek, who easily defeated Democrat Jeff Greene in Tuesday's primary.

"I will not start changing on you when you need me," Meek said in his victory speech, in a clear reference to Crist's party affiliation switch. "I am running against two conservative candidates to the United States Senate who have similar records."

In a closely watched House race, Democratic Rep. Allen Boyd held on to narrowly defeat state Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson in the Florida Panhandle's 2nd District.

In the Alaska Republican Senate primary, incumbent and heavy favorite Lisa Murkowski was locked in a surprisingly tight battle against Sarah Palin-backed challenger and Tea Party favorite Joe Miller.

With 84 percent of precincts reporting, Miller was holding 51.5 percent of the vote to Murkowski's 48.6 percent. If Miller were able to hold on for the win, it would mark both a shocking upset victory against an incumbent who was widely regarded as the state's most popular politician and the biggest notch in Palin's political belt this cycle.

Palin did not appear with the previously unknown Miller in any campaign appearances, but she and her husband Todd made fundraising pleas on Miller's behalf, and the former Alaska governor recorded a robocall for Miller on Sunday.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee also endorsed Miller, but Palin was the potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate who had the most to gain politically from a potentially stunning victory for Miller, who was vastly underfunded and almost a total unknown before Palin stepped in on his behalf.

Because of Alaska's many geographically isolated precincts, final primary results could take many more hours, if not days, to come in.

In Arizona, Sen. John McCain defeated Tea Party favorite J.D. Hayworth, whose longshot challenge had appeared to be a serious threat last spring but then faded as the 2008 Republican presidential nominee pulled away over the last few weeks.

Still, Mccain spent over $20 million to fend off the primary challenge from Hayworth and was forced to veer to the right on issues including illegal immigration. McCain is expected to cruise to victory in November's general election.

In the Vermont Democratic gubernatorial primary, state Senate president pro tempore Pete Shumlin was holding onto a narrow lead against four other candidates.