June 28 (Bloomberg) -- Five-term Republican Representative Chris Cannon of Utah survived a congressional primary challenge from businessman John Jacob in a contest that turned on differences over immigration policy.

Cannon had 56 percent to 44 percent for Jacob, with 100 percent of the precincts reporting according to a Utah government Internet site. The results didn't yet include absentee ballots.

``I congratulate him on his victory,'' Jacob said in a statement. ``We have both put our whole hearts into this campaign.''

Cannon will face Democrat Christian Burridge, an attorney, in the general election Nov. 7 in Utah's strongly Republican Third District.

Cannon, 55, backed House legislation that focuses on border security and enforcement of immigration laws, and also supported President George W. Bush's call for legislation that includes a guest-worker program and a way for undocumented immigrants to gain legal status, an approach recently approved by the Senate.

Jacob backed the House's legislative approach and opposed new opportunities for undocumented immigrants contained in the Senate plan.

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, a Washington-based advocacy group, and a supporter of the Senate approach, said Cannon's victory would be ``very helpful'' in getting final legislation passed by showing public support for the policy.

House Republican leaders have said they won't appoint lawmakers to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation until after two months of hearings around the country intended to highlight the deficiencies of the Senate legislation.

The position of House Republicans was buoyed by Brian Bilbray's victory earlier this month in a California special election. Bilbray, a supporter of the House immigration legislation, defeated a Democrat who backed the Senate approach.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nicholas Johnston in Washington at njohnston3@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: June 28, 2006 06:44 EDT