GOP lawmaker loses in Okla., Hatch wins in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) ? Republican party divisions resurfaced in Tuesdays congressional primaries.

Five-term Rep. John Sullivan fell to a tea party-backed opponent in Oklahoma, losing to Jim Bridenstine, a Navy pilot and the former director of a Tulsa space museum. Sullivan is the fourth incumbent congressman to lose in primaries this year.

On the other hand, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch easily defeated another candidate backed by the tea party. It was Hatchs first primary challenge since his election to the Senate in 1976.

Hatch had been bracing for a tough re-election battle, but he breezed to victory over former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist, who faced an overwhelming financial and organizational disadvantage.

Hatch is a huge favorite to win the general election in November. He told the Associated Press it would be his last term.