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Leo Lykins signs in to vote in the Kentucky primary election as Eugene Clark, right, talks to election poll workers Tuesday May 22, 2012 at the Kinniconick Volunteer Fire Department in Lewis County, Ky. Kentuckians will have their say in several political John Flavell, Associated Press
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This undated photo provided by the Alecia Webb-Edgington campaign shows Alecia Webb-Edgington, candidate in the Republican primary on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, for the 4th Congressional District in Kentucky. Webb-Edgington is one of three front runners in t Alecia Webb-Edgington Campaign, Associated Press
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This undated photo provided by the Thomas Massie campaign shows Lewis County Judge-Executive Thomas Massie, candidate in the Republican primary on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, for the 4th Congressional District in Kentucky. Massie is one of three frontrunners i Thomas Massie Campaign, Associated Press
By Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Tea party darling Thomas Massie is holding a slim lead over other leading Republican contenders for an open congressional seat in Kentucky's 4th District.

The relative newcomer to politics faces two well-established Republicans in state Rep. Alecia Webb-Edgington and Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore.

With 18 percent of precincts reporting, Massie had 3,894 votes or 47 percent, to 2,314 votes for Webb-Edgington or 28 percent. Moore had 1,359 votes or 16 percent.

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The race is seen as a test to the tea party's strength in Kentucky. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul endorsed Massie and was actively involved in the race, even appearing in a TV ad. And a Texas-based tea party group plowed more than $500,000 into the race.

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