Florida's embattled Harris wins primary

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Despite political controversies, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Fla., has won the Republican primary to challenge Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., in November.

Harris topped three political newcomers Tuesday despite being rebuked by national party leaders and a federal investigation into her relationship with a defense contractor later convicted of bribery, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reported.

Harris ran an odd campaign where she made controversial comments about religion, avoided the media and failed to show up at forums with her challengers.

Meanwhile in the primary for gubernatorial candidates, Rep. Jim Davis, D-Fla., won his party's nomination for governor. He will face Republican state Attorney General Charlie Crist in November, who won his party's primary, the Miami Herald said.

The newspaper said Crist is expected to campaign with pledges to carry on the policies of the Gov. Jeb Bush, who has reached the end of a two-term limit.