Democratic Michigan Sen. Stabenow wins 3rd term

DETROIT (AP) -  Two-term Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan has won re-election, defeating former Republican Rep. Pete Hoekstra.

Stabenow had no primary opposition and built a fundraising advantage over Hoekstra, who fended off a challenge for the GOP nomination from charter school founder Clark Durant.

Stabenow ran television ads portraying herself as a bipartisan champion of Michigan industries, particularly manufacturing and agriculture. As chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, she won a rare endorsement from the Michigan Farm Bureau.

Hoekstra's campaign tried to attract attention with low-budget Internet ads describing Stabenow as "the worst senator," but they drew little traction.

The candidates accused each other of favoring policies that would damage Medicare, the popular health program for seniors. Stabenow said Hoekstra supported budget cuts proposed by vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan.