DENVER (AP) – Republican physician Brian Davidson defeated Matt Arnold in a statewide primary for University of Colorado regent at-large.

Davidson cruised to victory Tuesday in a contest where Arnold was criticized over his campaign tactics. Republicans lambasted him for allegedly sending campaign emails falsely claiming that the state GOP Party endorsed him. Arnold also acknowledged falsely telling voters he received a master’s degree in international economics.

With 83 percent of the projected count, Davidson was leading with 61.3 percent of the vote. The race was the only statewide primary contest.

Davidson is a physician and anesthesiologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He was also the GOP nominee in 2006 for CU regent at-large but lost in the general election by less than 1 percent of the vote.

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