By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – State Senator Chuck Purgason finished a distant second to GOP Senate nominee Roy Blunt in the race to replace retiring Missouri U.S. Senator Kit Bond.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Blunt had 71 percent of the vote to Purgason's 13 percent.
"I knew that it was an uphill battle because of the money and the power of the leadership of the Republican Party," Purgason said. "I think (the party has) been going the wrong direction, and if in any way that I helped try to get us back to what the basics of our party is...I consider a success."
Purgason won't say if he will endorse or support Blunt for U.S. Senate. He only says he'll work to elect strong conservatives to office.
Purgason had the backing of some Tea Party groups, some of whom have criticized Blunt.
Blunt will now face Robin Carnahan, who won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.