Representative Tom Cole, the veteran Oklahoma Republican and chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, fended off a primary challenge on Tuesday from a well-funded right-wing businessman, putting him on track to win a 12th term.
Mr. Cole ascended to the helm of the influential Appropriations panel in April, assuming a coveted position on Capitol Hill that put him in charge of the allocation of federal spending.
Mr. Cole's opponent, Paul Bondar, an anti-spending conservative businessman, tried to weaponize the congressman's 15-year tenure on the committee against him.
With more than $8 million spent as of late last week, it became one of the most expensive House primaries this year and the most competitive primary challenge Mr. Cole had faced in years.
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