Republican faces tough US primary

Chafee's fight for life

A moderate Republican senator is facing a tough challenge from a conservative as a day of primary elections gets under way across the United States.

Lincoln Chafee's bid to stand again as Rhode Island Republican candidate in the mid-term elections is under threat from Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey.

His battle is attracting most attention as nine states and Washington DC hold primaries ahead of November's poll.

A defeat could echo that of Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman in August.

The Connecticut senator of 18 years lost out to newcomer Ned Lamont in what was widely seen as punishment by voters for his support of the Iraq war and perceived closeness to Republican President George W Bush.

Senator Lieberman is standing in November's election as an independent.

Steve Laffey has the support of conservative Republicans

Conversely, Senator Chafee frequently opposes President Bush's policies, from tax cuts to the Iraq war.

However, he has received a great deal of support from national Republicans who view him as the best possible hope of retaining the seat in the heavily Democratic state of Rhode Island.

Nervous about the forthcoming elections, Republicans fear the loss of a rare foothold in the largely Democratic north- east could cost them control of Congress, the BBC's James Coomarasamy in Rhode Island says.

Tuesday's other primaries will be held in Arizona, Minnesota, Maryland, Wisconsin, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont - while Washington DC holds a mayoral vote.