OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- University president Ben Sasse has won Nebraska's Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, giving the tea party a major victory.

This July 13, 2010 file photo shows Nebraska Republican Senate candidate Ben Sasse. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

The Tuesday primary win in a five-man race makes Sasse a huge favorite in November's general election, where he'll face Democrat Dave Domina, an Omaha attorney. The winner will replace Republican Mike Johanns, who didn't seek a second term.

Voters opted for Sasse, the president of Midland University who gained the backing of numerous tea party groups, over former state treasurer Shane Osborn, bank president Sid Dinsdale, Omaha attorney Bart McLeay and Fort Calhoun hotel owner Clifton Johnson.

Although the candidates largely agreed on the issues, the tone grew bitter in the campaign's final weeks as Shane and Osborn focused on each other and argued about who was most conservative.