Rep. Walter Jones turns back challenge in GOP primary

RALEIGH (AP) -- Voters in the 3rd Congressional District have been here before.

Republican Rep. Walter Jones will face Democrat Craig Weber in November in a rematch of their 2006 general election showdown.

With 71 percent of precincts reporting unofficial returns tonight, Jones had 60 percent of the vote. Challenger Joe McLaughlin had 40 percent of the vote.

McLaughlin focused his campaign on Jones' increasing stand against the war in Iraq, which he argued placed him at odds with the Republican Party.

Jones is known for supporting renaming french fries 'freedom fries.'

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)