Walberg defeats Schwarz in congressional race

Wire and staff reports

Former state Rep. Tim Walberg defeated freshman U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz on Tuesday night in the hotly contested 7th Congressional District Republican primary.

Schwarz, a Battle Creek surgeon, conceded the race after 11 p.m. With 68 percent of the district's precincts reporting, Walberg had 55 percent, or 24,564 votes, to Schwarz's 45 percent, or 19,739 votes.

The contest, which has drawn national attention, represented an ideological clash between Schwarz, a moderate, and Walberg, who was one of the most conservative state lawmakers during his 16 years in the state House.

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