Early returns show 10-term Congressman John Mica, R-Winter Park, handily defeating freshman Congresswoman Sandy Adams, R-Orlando, in a volatile race that saw the rare spectacle of two incumbents facing off in a primary as a result of earlier congressional redistricting. Early returns show Mica carrying the race with about 61 percent of the votes.

The primary campaign was widely reported as one of the state’s nastiest. Adams accused Mica of being a career politician who presided over an ever-expanding federal government, while Mica portrayed Adams as a fiscal hypocrite who voted to spend bailout money while she was still a state legislator. Mica had voted against the bailouts and is generally considered a fiscal hawk.

Adams received support from many political heroes of the tea party movement, including fellow freshman Congressman Allen West, R-Plantation, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, while Mica touted his endorsement by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a favorite among Evangelicals and other social conservatives.

Mica is expected to be a heavy favorite to head back to Washington. Early returns suggest he will face Democrat Jason H. Kendall in the Nov. 6 general election.

Reach Eric Giunta at egiunta@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.