Republican Primary, Primary | featured news

After a dozen contests, 20 debates and the prospect of weeks or even months of continued skirmishing, there is a growing clamor among Republicans to bring the presidential nomination race to a close for fear of hopelessly damaging the party's chances against President Obama.

A win certified Wednesday in the Senate primary in New Hampshire for a candidate backed by the Republican establishment helped offset earlier primary election victories in Delaware and New York by Tea Party-backed insurgents. In New Hampshire, former attorney general Kelly Ayotte was named the winner in the Republican primary for Senate, marking a narrow victory over conservative lawyer Ovide Lamontagne, who campaigned with the support of Tea Party activists. Ayotte had the support of the Republican Party and former Alaska governorSarah Palin in her bid for the seat held by retiring GOP Sen. Judd Gregg. Ayotte will face off in November against Rep. Paul Hodes, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary.