A long-shot bid for a big upset in the Primary Election fell far short. State Senator Chuck Purgason, a Republican from Caulfield, has talked to the Missourinet about his loss in the Republican primary for United States Senate.

Worries about the country’s fiscal policies drove Purgason during his uphill battle against veteran southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt in the Republican primary. Purgason says even his experience on primary election day, campaigning outside a polling station, brought home the dangers debt poses the country.

“Realizing that every young child that walks into that polling booth currently owes $340,000 of the national debt ought to wake people up and begin the process of working to get this country back in shape.” Purgason tells the Missourinet.

Purgason received only 13.1% of the primary vote, receiving 75,390 votes. Blunt won nearly 71% of the ballots cast in the Republican primary Tuesday, 409,806. Seven other Republicans ran in the primary. None of the remaining Republican candidates broke into double digits.

He says he’s humbled by the volunteers who put in so many hours in his campaign.

Purgason sidesteps the question of whether he will back Blunt in his general election campaign against Democrat Robin Carnahan.

“You know, I’m going to work for a lot of Republican candidates that I believe will go out and work on conservative values,” Purgason says.

Purgason will only congratulate Blunt on his campaign and wish him well in the future.

AUDIO: Brent Martin reports [:60 MP3]

AUDIO: Brent Martin interviews Sen. Chuck Purgason [5:10 MP3]