COLUMBIA --- U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham fended off a primary challenge Tuesday from a Republican who accused the one-term incumbent of being too liberal for South Carolina while criticizing his ties to John McCain and their work on failed immigration reform.

Mr. Graham won with 67 percent of the vote compared with 33 percent for challenger Buddy Witherspoon, a retired orthodontist and former Republican National Committee member.

"Tonight represents a victory for mainstream, traditional conservatism," Mr. Graham said.

It was a vindication compared with his reception a year ago at the state GOP convention, when the crowd booed and shouted "No" at Mr. Graham's explanations of the immigration bill.

-- Associated Press