NEW: Hagerty wins Republican primary to run for US Senate

The first endorsement test of President Donald Trump in Tennessee was a success as his former Japan ambassador Bill Hagerty took a convincing win over Nashville surgeon Dr. Manny Sethi in Thursday’s primary for the Republican nomination for the US Senate race in November.

The Associated Press declared Hagerty the winner just after 9 p.m. EST.

Hagerty will now seek election in November to fill the seat being left by the retiring Senator Lamar Alexander.

I just called Ambassador Hagerty to congratulate him on his victory. Tonight didn’t work out the way we hoped, but I’m so deeply grateful to every single one of you who supported our campaign, and I’m proud of what we fought for. Thank you, Tennessee.

— Dr. Manny For Senate (@DrMannySenate) August 7, 2020

(PHOTO: Hagerty for Senate / Facebook)