Republican congressional candidate Mike Erickson was projected by KGW and The Oregonian as the winner in Tuesday's primary.

Lake Oswego businessman Erickson defeated perennial contender Kevin Mannix in a race for an open congressional seat.

Check: Election results

Erickson was defeating Mannix by a margin of 50 percent to 45 percent, with 69 percent of the total expected vote counted.

Mannix waited until Wednesday morning to concede and he said he would not support Erickson in the general election.

"I think this a critical character issue... without my support because of character issues, I don't see how far he can go, even with million of his own dollars," Mannix said, referring to issues that came up during the campaign when Mannix said he learned that Erickson had paid for a girlfriend to have an abortion.

KGW also talked to Erickson Tuesday night, and asked for his reaction to the Mannix ad about the abortion.

"That's just Kevin Mannix and dirty politics," Erickson said. "He's done it before against Ron Saxson. he's done it in his other races."

In November, Erickson will face state Senator Kurt Schrader of Canby, who easily defeated several Democratic rivals for the chance to replace retiring U.S. Representative Darlene Hooley.

Erickson and Kevin Mannix have been throwing punches in a race that grew increasingly ugly over the past few weeks.

The candidates seem to have spent more time trading accusations than addressing any issues.

Mannix accused Erickson of impregnating a girlfriend, then paying for her to have an abortion.

Details: Allegations

Erickson, in response, accused Mannix of using desperate smear tactics to get ahead in the campaign.

Mannix letter about Erickson
Erickson responds to allegations

Mannix and Erickson are vying for Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District.

Erickson, who’s a businessman, loaned another quarter of a million dollars to his congressional campaign at the beginning of May and launched a new round of TV ads attacking Republican rival Mannix's past support for tax hikes as a legislator.

More: Erickson chips in another $250,000 for Ore. House campaign

Erickson's loan of $250,000 brings to $590,000 the amount of his own money he's chipped in for this year's bid for Congress. He spent $1.6 million of his own money on his unsuccessful 2006 race against Democratic Rep. Darlene Hooley, who's not seeking re-election this year.

The 5th District is considered one of the most wide-open congressional races in the country, and both national parties have indicated they would pour big money into winning the House seat in the fall election.

Mannix began his 10-year career in the Legislature as a Democrat and largely voted with his party on fiscal issues, even writing bills to raise alcohol taxes to fund treatment programs and hike gas taxes for road building.

In more recent times, especially in the years after Mannix switched his party affiliation to Republican and served as state GOP chairman, he took a leadership role against tax increases, Mannix's campaign spokeswoman, Amy Langdon, said.