U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin yesterday turned back an aggressive challenge from Brown University Prof. Jennifer Lawless in the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

And Jonathan P. Scott topped Edmund R. Leather in the Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District seat, winning the chance to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy.

With 502 of 515 precincts reporting, Langevin had 61.58 percent of the vote, compared with 38.42 percent for Lawless, according to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections. Langevin will now face an independent candidate, former Democratic state Rep. Rodney Driver, in the November general elections.

Scott had 69 percent of the vote, compared with 31 percent for Leather, according to the unofficial numbers.

Langevin, 42, of Warwick, a former secretary of state who is seeking his fourth two-year term in Congress, said: "I'm thrilled with the victory. I'm honored the people in this Democratic primary have placed their trust in me and I'm looking forward to a spirited campaign with my independent opponent." He said, "I'm glad my message of family security resonated with the people."

After calling Langevin to congratulate him, Lawless, 31, of Cranston, addressed supporters, saying she was told that "no one takes on an incumbent in a primary." But she said, "In a democracy, no one gets a free ride." And she emphasized the need to fight the Bush administration and congressional Republicans, saying, "Too many Democrats are enabling Republicans instead of fighting back."

Before voting at Warwick's Potowomut School yesterday morning, Langevin said Lawless ran the most negative campaign he has faced. "I've enjoyed the discussion of the issues, but I was disappointed by the negative tone and the distortions of my record," he said. "I trust the people of Rhode Island will see through that. They know me. They trust me. They know I've represented them well the last six years."

Langevin, who flew to Washington, D.C., later in the day because Congress was in session, said he was particularly disappointed in a Lawless ad that mentioned rape in pointing out that Langevin opposes abortion rights in most cases. Langevin ran an ad noting that he supports abortion rights in cases of rape, incest and when the mother's life is in jeopardy.

After voting at Cranston's Hall Manor yesterday morning, Lawless said, "It's unfortunate he thinks his record is negative. We stuck to the issues." She said, "He voted 27 times against a woman's right to choose. Those are the facts. We need real Democratic leadership. He's had six years and he hasn't provided it."

Arthur Watson, 63, of Warwick, voted for Langevin at Potowomut School, saying, "He's a good man." He noted Langevin has seniority after three terms in Congress and said, "He is respected. They haven't turned up any scandal. He hasn't robbed any banks. He seems to be an honest guy."

Richard Bennett, 59, of Cranston, voted for Lawless at Hall Manor, saying he has voted for Langevin in the past but is dissatisfied with the way the country is being run, and "I want to give these young new people a chance to get in there." An Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, Bennett said he sees parallels between the Vietnam and Iraq wars and liked Lawless' strong opposition to the war in Iraq.

Lawless argued that Langevin was out of sync with his constituents and repeatedly compared him with Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who lost a Democratic primary in August. Langevin repeatedly pointed out that, unlike Lieberman, he voted against authorizing the use of military force in Iraq. And he maintained that as a lifelong Warwick resident, he was in tune with his constituents. Lawless moved to the district in May to launch her campaign.

Langevin ran a campaign based on the theme that national security includes "family security" and issues such as health care and education. Langevin, who was paralyzed in an accidental shooting at age 16, has received national attention in Congress as an advocate for embryonic stem-cell research.

For the first time in 149 years, there is no Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, which stretches from the middle of Providence to Glocester to Westerly to Narragansett and Warwick. The state GOP chairwoman, Patricia Morgan, has said she didn't want to put up a candidate with no chance of winning. Two years ago, Langevin received 75 percent of the vote in trouncing three candidates, including Republican Arthur C. "Chuck" Barton III, who received 21 percent of the vote.

Scott, 39, of Providence, was the endorsed Republican candidate in the 1st Congressional District, which stretches from Burrillville to Pawtucket to Jamestown. He has been a counselor for a state-contracted group-home provider and is now campaigning full-time.

Scott said, "We are happy to be over this hurdle, but that's all it was. We are looking forward to debates with Patrick Kennedy." He said he plans to focus his campaign on the idea that "the common man and woman in Rhode Island deserve representation in the House of Representatives." He said Kennedy "has never worked paycheck to paycheck."

Leather, 67, of East Providence, has worked as a teacher in Woonsocket and as a University of Maryland history professor, and he was a Foreign Service officer for the U.S. Department of State. Leather said, "The voters have spoken." But he said anyone who runs for public office is a winner.

efitzpat@projo.com / (401) 277-7368