( CNN ) -- Bill Haslam , the mayor of Knoxville and considered a moderate Republican , easily won the Tennessee GOP primary for governor Thursday , the Associated Press projected . With 76 percent of the state 's precincts in , AP reported Haslam had 48.2 percent of the vote as he defeated Congressman Zach Wamp and Lt. Gov . Ron Ramsey . Halsam , who helped fund some of his own campaign , will now face Mike McWherter , a Democratic businessman and son of a former governor . The race is to succeed Gov . Phil Bredesen , a Democrat , who is prevented by term limits from running for a third term . Political handicappers think Republicans have a good shot at winning back the governor 's office . Republican Governors Association spokesman Tim Murtaugh in a statement : `` Bill Haslam emerges as a strong candidate headed toward November , having beaten a pair of qualified office holders in a spirited primary . As Tennessee faces great economic challenges , Bill Haslam will be a strong voice for job creation , fiscal restraint and individual freedom . `` A successful mayor and businessman , he has the leadership experience necessary to create jobs and grow the economy . We look forward to seeing him elected the next governor of Tennessee . '' Democratic Governors Association executive director Nathan Daschle said , `` Mike McWherter has spent his career growing jobs and strengthening the economy . The only thing Bill Haslam has increased in his career is Knoxville 's taxes and unemployment rate . '' `` Voters are looking for someone with the know-how to move the state in the right direction , and that candidate is Mike McWherter , '' Daschle added . The race grabbed national attention last month because of controversial comments by two of the challengers . Wamp appeared to suggest that Tennessee should consider secession in light of mandates forced on the states by the Obama administration 's health care bill . The eight-term congressman later stepped back from those comments . Ramsey also drew attention to himself last month after he was seen in a YouTube video questioning whether Islam is a religion . He was expressing his opposition to the expansion of a mosque in Murfreesboro , Tennessee , which has become a hot-button issue in the city about 35 miles southeast of Nashville . Ramsey , who has been endorsed by 20 Tea Party organizations , said he is a supporter of religious freedoms , but such protections may not extend to bringing `` Shariah [ Islamic ] law into the state of Tennessee ... into the United States . '' `` Now , you could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion , or is it a nationality , way of life , a cult , whatever you want to call it , '' he continued . `` But certainly we do protect our religions , but at the same time , this is something we are going to have to face . '' Following criticism , Ramsey defended his comments , saying , `` My concern is that far too much of Islam has come to resemble a violent political philosophy more than peace-loving religion . '' In a high-profile Congressional primary , AP projected two-term Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen overwhelmingly defeated former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton . The campaign in the 9th District , which covers Memphis and has a large African-American population , was dominated by race . With 78 percent of precincts in , AP says Cohen had 79.4 percent of the vote to Herenton 's 20.6 percent . Herenton has been urging voters to elect him as the only African-American member of the state 's congressional delegation , saying , `` It is as if only white people live in the great state of Tennessee . No African-Americans . I believe that it is very clear to the majority of the citizens of this community that we lack representation . '' Cohen , who served as a state lawmaker in the area before being elected to Congress , has campaigned on what he 's done for education and health care in the area . `` I represent everybody and I work hard for people to get them opportunities . And I just think that race should not be an issue in 2010 , '' he said . President Barack Obama and the Congressional Black Caucus backed Cohen . AP projected Stephen Fincher the winner in the 8th District Republican primary . Finch has 50 percent of the vote over Ron Kirkland at 24.6 percent and George Flinn at 22.2 percent . The race , for Rep. John Tanner 's seat , is noteworthy because the Center for Responsible Politics has called it the most expensive House primary in the country , . Finch will face Roy Herron , the projected winner of the Democratic primary , in November AP projects him the winner in the Democratic 8th District Primary .
NEW : Mike McWherter is projected winner of GOP 9th district primary . Knoxville Mayor Cohen has 48 percent of the vote in the Knoxville tgovernor 's primary . The GOP winner will face Democrat Bill Haslam . The GOP race grabbed national attention 2010 .