Congressional incumbents win primaries in Mississippi

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker and the state's three U.S. House members have breezed to victory in their party primaries, setting up races in November in which each will be heavily favored.

Wicker defeated two GOP primary opponents and will face the winner of a three-way Democratic primary. Wicker was appointed to the Senate in 2007 by then-Gov. Haley Barbour after fellow Republican Trent Lott stepped down, and then won a 2008 special election.

Republican U.S. Reps. Alan Nunnelee, Steven Palazzo and Gregg Harper all survived primary challenges, as did Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson.

In neighboring Alabama, U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus had opened up an early lead over three GOP primary challengers in his toughest fight in years. Bachus chairs the House Financial Services Committee.

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks fended off a GOP primary challenge from Dr. Parker Griffith, a former Democrat whom Brooks unseated two years ago.