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Eric Ringham
St. Paul, Minn.

Primary 2014: Johnson, Kahn, Loon hold off primary challenges

Jeff Johnson gives a victory speech
Jeff Johnson gives his victory speech at the campaign party at Digby's in Plymouth.
Caroline Yang / For MPR News

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Updated: 10:55 p.m. | Posted: 8:40 p.m.

The GOP-endorsed candidate for governor, Jeff Johnson, won the right to square off against Gov. Mark Dayton by defeating three rivals in a primary election on Tuesday.

• Johnson wins governor nod

Johnson, a Hennepin County commissioner, held off challenges from veteran legislators Marty Seifert and Kurt Zellers and businessman Scott Honour.

Marty Seifert concedes
Republican gubernatorial candidate Marty Seifert concedes with his supporters behind him Tuesday night in Mankato.
Alex Kolyer / For MPR News

It was generally a good night for endorsed candidates and sitting incumbents.

• Gallery: The primary in pictures
 • Primary 2014 blog
 • Full election results

Two veteran legislators withstood primary challenges to capture their parties' nominations for new terms in the Minnesota House.

Democratic Rep. Phyllis Kahn hung onto her party's standard by defeating Minneapolis School Board Member Mohamud Noor, who was vying to become the first Somali-American elected to the House.

• Kahn, Loon win parties' legislative nods

And Rep. Jenifer Loon of Eden Prairie repelled a challenge from Sheila Kihne, a conservative supported by the Minnesota Family Council. Loon had come under fire by conservative groups for her support of same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

Phyllis Kahn addresses her supporters.
Rep. Phyllis Kahn celebrates her primary win with supporters Tuesday evening at Mattie's on Main in Minneapolis.
Jennifer Simonson / MPR News

Business executive Mike McFadden easily won his GOP contest against two challengers for the U.S. Senate nomination. McFadden was the endorsed GOP candidate.

• McFadden wins GOP Senate primary

McFadden will challenge Sen. Al Franken in November.

In the Democratic race for state auditor, Matt Entenza failed in his attempt to unseat incumbent Rebecca Otto. He issued a statement suggesting that the light turnout in Tuesday's elections worked against him.

• Entenza concedes auditor race to Otto

One challenger in a significant race scored a victory, however: In Minnesota's 1st congressional district, Jim Hagedorn defeated the GOP-endorsed candidate, Aaron Miller. Hagedorn will face Democratic incumbent Tim Walz in the fall.

• Hagedorn wins GOP in 1st District