Immigration restrictionists scored a big win yesterday, with the primary defeat of six-term Utah Republican Chris Cannon. His opponent, Jason Chaffetz, campaigned against birthright citizenship and amnesty, in contrast to Cannon, who long ago earned the ire of Republicans concerned about the border security and immigration. As the Politico notes:

Immigration was the driving factor behind Cannon’s unpopularity with the district’s Republican base. Despite sporting a near-perfect score from the American Conservative Union, Cannon alienated border security hawks over the past several years with his belief that illegal immigrants should be eligible for certain government benefits.

In 2003, Cannon sponsored a bill that would give children of illegal immigrants in-state college tuition. And he has also supported legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to receive guest worker status.