Arizona old-guard Republicans advance in primary

PHOENIX (AP) — In a year of political outsiders, two of the most prominent and longest-serving Arizona Republicans bucked the trend and easily beat back primary challenges.

Sen. John McCain defeated a populist challenger on the right by more than 10 percentage points. And longtime lawman Joe Arpaio, the sheriff of metro Phoenix who became famous for immigration crackdowns and forcing inmates to wear pink underwear, garnered 66 percent of the vote while trouncing three opponents on Tuesday.

McCain, 80, and Arpaio, 84, will face tough challenges from Democrats in November.

McCain was not only dogged by a primary opponent who called him a failed, career politician unfit to serve, he also was inundated with questions about GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Trump had attacked many issues dear to the Arizona senator, including the family of a fallen soldier, NATO and even McCain's own military service and time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. His insurgent, outsider message has constantly been at odds with McCain, the party's 2008 White House nominee.