CLEVELAND -- U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich declared victory in the race to keep his seat in the 10th Congressional District Tuesday night.

The liberal Ohio politician won 50 percent of the vote in a five-way Democratic congressional primary Tuesday, beating back critics who said he ignored business at home to travel the country in his quest to be president.

The six-term incumbent, 61, will face former state Rep. Jim Trakas, who won 80 percent of Republican votes cast in the northeast Ohio district. He joins a parade of incumbents, returning challengers and state lawmakers who head into November's election following Tuesday victories.

Kucinich's declaration came after only 19 percent of the precincts were being reported. At that time, Kucinich was leading with 53 percent of the vote.

At that time his main opponent, Cleveland Councilman Joe Cimperman, had 31 percent, Barbara Ann Ferris has 6 percent, Thomas O'Grady had 5 percent and Rosemary Palmer had 4 percent.