Ex-CEO wins Republican primary for Radel's seat

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The former CEO of an aluminum wheel company has won a Republican primary in Florida for the seat of a congressman who resigned in January after being arrested for buying cocaine.

With 96 percent of precincts counted, Curt Clawson had received 38 percent of the vote in Tuesday's four-way race, ahead of Lizbeth Benacquisto, who had 26 percent. Paige Kreegel had 25 percent and Michael Dreikorn had 11 percent.

The 54-year-old Clawson will face Democrat April Freeman in the June 24 general election in the heavily Republican district. The winner will fill the seat left vacant by Trey Radel, who pleaded guilty to cocaine possession in November.

A total of $2.1 million was spent on the race by outside groups, largely on attack ads.