John James has won the Republican nomination in Michigan's U.S. Senate race.
With 29 percent of precincts reporting, initial results on Tuesday night showed James with 56.96 percent of the vote to opponent Sandy Pensler's 43.04 percent. The Associated Press called the race for James at 10:11 p.m.
James will go on to face incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow in the general election. Stabenow, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, was first elected to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate since 2000.
In a statement following the call, James said Stabenow "better get ready for the fight of her political life."
"I don't have a Black message. I don't have a White message. I have a Michigan message," James said. "We need people who have experience getting results. You aren't going to get results from a 43-year career politician."
In a concession statement, Pensler thanked his supporters and said he would support James' bid for Senate in the general election.
"It has been a rough primary, but John James and I always said we would be friends after the primary and I believe that now as I did then," he said in a statement. "I support John and hope he will get to enact the President's policies in the Senate."
Pensler also thanked the press, saying the media's "unbiased vigilance and fairness are a critical pillar of our freedom and democracy."
James is a 2004 graduate of West Point and served as a U.S. Army captain who served during the Iraq War, leading two platoons of Apache helicopters.
After eight years in the Army, James returned to Michigan to work in the family business, James Group International, which works in supply-chain management. James is president of the company, which was founded by his father.
Throughout the election, James and Pensler had battled over who had the most conservative credentials.
In late July, James snagged a key endorsement from President Donald Trump, who called James "spectacular" and said James was a rising star in the party.
Michigan Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser called James a highly inspirational candidate who has the party's full support for the November election.
"John is not only a businessman who has led a successful Detroit business, he is also a West Point graduate and brave patriot who fought for our nation on the front lines in Iraq," Weiser said in a statement.
On Tuesday evening, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Brandon Dillon said James emerged from the election "badly bruised from a nasty primary and on the wrong side of issues that matter to Michigan families."
"Our Senator, Debbie Stabenow, is Michigan, delivering time after time for our workers and families," Dillon said in a statement. "For Michigan voters, the choice in November could not be more clear."