The phrase "a primary contest for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a competition or election, particularly in the context of political primaries or contests for a specific position.
Example: "The upcoming election is shaping up to be a primary contest for the party's nomination."
Alternatives: "a key competition for" or "a main race for".
His power waned steadily, and he lost a primary contest for his seat in 1966.
But even if the bill is passed, Mr. Netanyahu must confront the chairman of his Likud Party, Ariel Sharon, in a primary contest for the party leadership on Sunday.
In Smithtown, despite being opposed by his own party in a primary contest for the County Legislature, the incumbent John M. Kennedy Jr. defeated Vincent Trimarco Jr., a Hauppauge lawyer.
Correction: August 18, 2004, Wednesday A front-page article on Monday about Senator John Kerry's financial backers misstated the outcome of Mr. Kerry's first campaign for public office, a primary contest in 1972 for a seat in the House of Representatives, and referred incorrectly to the amount of money he raised in that race.
Charges of violating the state election code against Representative Bobbi Fiedler and an aide involving a Republican primary contest for the United States Senate were dismissed today by a California judge.
A proper primary contest for choosing the next leader of the Conservative party would be the perfect stage.
Mr. Green said he would seek the nomination, regardless of the identity of his opponent, thus setting the stage for a Democratic primary contest for the Senate nomination.
-– Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is adding a quick trip to Detroit to her Wednesday campaign schedule in a high-profile push for a primary contest revote there so Michigan's delegates are counted in the Democratic nomination fight.
One dirty little secret of the present system is that while it schedules primaries from January until June, the federal matching grant system does not provide money for a primary contest that lasts beyond April, when recent races have been over.
It is his wealth that heightens interest in the race for lieutenant governor, a primary contest that usually draws yawns.
Also in the mix tomorrow is the Democratic primary contest for a US Senate seat.
