Former Governor Tommy Thompson wins Republican Senate nomination - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Former Gov. Tommy Thompson says his victory in the Republican Senate primary shows, "Wisconsin is on a roll."

Thompson on Tuesday defeated businessman Eric Hovde, state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann.

Based on preliminary results, Thompson won with 34 percent compared with 31 percent for Hovde.

Thompson says he spoke with Gov. Scott Walker and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, who was tapped Saturday to be Mitt Romney's running mate.

Thompson says Ryan told him "we're taking the state back and we're going to take our country back."

Thompson advances to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin in the Nov. 6 general election.

The Senate seat is open due to the retirement of Democrat Herb Kohl.

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(WQOW) - Former Governor Tommy Thompson wins the Republican nomination for Senate, defeating Eric Hovde in a close race.

Thompson and Hovde were neck and neck throughout the evening, with both candidates switching back and forth for the lead several times.

Other candidates Mark Neumann and Jeff Fitzgerald both conceded around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night.