The good news for businessman John Raese is that he won Tuesday's primary in West Virginia and will be the GOP nominee in the state's U.S. Senate campaign.

The bad news for Raese is that his next challenge will be much more difficult. He faces Senator Robert Byrd who has won election to the U.S. Senate eight times already. In fact, the 88-year old Byrd has served in the Senate longer than most Americans have been alive.

An earlier survey found that 35% of West Virginia voters believe that Byrd is too old to serve effectively in the Senate. Fifty-eight percent (58%) disagree.

The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in West Virginia shows Byrd leading Raese 57% to 34% (see crosstabs). That survey was conducted before the Primary and shows little difference from a February poll when Byrd led Raese 58% to 32%.

Raese may get some political benefit from his Primary victory, but he still has a big hill to climb if he hope to catch Byrd by November. One advantage for Raese is that he has substantial financial resources available and should be able to mount a visible campaign.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for Raese is the affection that many in West Virginia have for their long-term Senator--42% have a "very" favorable opinion of Byrd. Another 28% have a "somewhat" favorable opinion of him.

Most West Virginia voters, 54%, believe that tax cuts help the economy. Forty-seven percent (47%) believe that income tax paperwork is worse than going to the dentist. (See how these figures compare to other states).

On immigration, 78% believe that existing laws should be enforced and the borders controlled before new reforms are considered. That's the highest level of support for enforcement-first policies found among 33 states surveyed by Rasmussen Reports last month.

Still, 55% believe that our policy goal on immigration should be to welcome all immigrants except those who are national security threats, criminals, or welfare seekers. Nationally, 56% hold that view.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members.