WASHINGTON — A veteran senator and champion of the biotech sector beat back an unusually strong challenge Tuesday night — thanks in large part to loyal support from the industry.

North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, a Republican who has long protected the bioscience companies that drive his state’s economy, overcame a surprisingly robust challenge from Democratic candidate Deborah K. Ross.

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Burr, now finishing his second term in the Senate, serves on committees with oversight of both the Food and Drug Administration and Medicare and Medicaid. He is also chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence.

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