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Former Sen. George Allen has won the Republican nomination for the Senate in Virginia, easily dispatching conservative challenger Jamie Radtke on Tuesday.

The Associated Press called the race at 7:34 p.m. local time, with 16 percent of precincts reporting. Allen claimed 65 percent of the vote to Radtke's 26 percent.

Entering the general election campaign, Allen faces a very competitive race against former Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine, who led Allen in total fundraising through much of the last year. Kaine was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Most polls have shown the Kaine-Allen race to be a statistical tie. Both are former governors and well-known politicians who have served in statewide office in various capacities.

Allen held a slight advantage over Kaine after the May 23 financial reporting period but only because Kaine purchased $2.5 million in TV ads for the fall campaign. Doing so now allows him to lock in lower rates while Allen rebuilds his warchest.

Virginia will also play host to a very competitive presidential race, ensuring that the state will see an influx of outside money pour in from both sides.