WASHINGTON - University instructor Chris Rothfuss of Laramie will challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming this November.

In unofficial results, Rothfuss beat Army veteran Al Hamburg in Tuesday's Democratic primary. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Rothfuss had 62 percent of the vote to Hamburg's 38 percent.

Rothfuss, 35, is a political novice who teaches at the University of Wyoming.

Enzi, who is seeking his third term, has a sizable fundraising advantage and is favored to win in November. Enzi had raised more than $1.8 million by the end of July, while Rothfuss had raised slightly more than $15,000.

Rothfuss has acknowledged the general election will be a challenge.

"It's not a matter of issues, it's a matter of dollars," he said.

After the race was called in his favor, Rothfuss said he would step up his campaigning, despite his money disadvantage.

He said he plans to "do a lot of door knocking, do some events, meet as many people as we can and talk about the issues .... It comes down to how many people I can talk to between now and Nov. 4."

Rothfuss holds advanced degrees in chemical engineering and applied physics, and instructs courses in nanotechnology and diplomacy at UW.

He said his top issue for the campaign will be energy and forging a comprehensive approach to the issue that suits Wyoming.

Enzi, who is the top Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has run a low-key campaign so far, not announcing until April that he would run again.

He said then that he had given serious thought to not running after he was passed over, for a second time, for a seat on the powerful Senate Finance Committee in January. But the hard work of his staff made him reconsider, he said.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)