Chris Hightower of Auburn won the Republican primary for state representative on Tuesday by a slim margin over Jimmy Kent Wilson of Olmstead.
Hightower won both Logan and Todd counties, but received just 53 more total votes than Wilson.
In Logan County, Hightower picked up 53.7 percent of the votes (347-299) and in Todd County he picked up 52 percent (65-60).
It was the first run for political office for both candidates.
“I think this election showed that people want a state rep who can articulate the ideas like lower taxes, smaller government and reforming some of the corruption in politics - not just someone they may know as a friend,” Hightower said.
Wilson wished Hightower well after the election.
“I would like to congratulate Chris Hightower for a well orchestrated campaign and primary win and I wish him well going forward,” Wilson said. “In addition I want to thank those who supported me throughout this process especially my family whom have been extremely patient and understanding.”
Hightower will now face three-term incumbent Martha Jane King in the November general election.
“I am thrilled to be the nominee,” Hightower said. “I am looking forward to running against Martha Jane King. I think it easier to run against someone with a voting record than someone who doesn’t have any sort of record like that.”
King, a Democrat, was unopposed Tuesday and in the previous two primaries as well.
Mitt Romney picked up the majority of Republican votes in Logan County for that party’s presidential nomination. Romney wrapped up the national nomination weeks ago, so Tuesday’s election was merely a formality.
He still received 62.4 percent of Logan County votes. Ron Paul was second with 16 percent. Rick Santorum got 10.9 percent and Newt Gingrinch received 6.3 percent.
Statewide, Romney received an even larger percentage of the votes at 66.7 percent. Paul got 12.5 percent and Santorum got 8.8 percent.
In the Democratic primary, President Barack Obama only got 38.6 percent of Logan County votes despite running unopposed. Over 61 percent of Logan voters marked “uncommitted” on their ballots instead of voting for the sitting president.
“I’m looking at the numbers Obama got and if people don’t like him, I have a hard time understand why they have been voting for the same kind of politician for state rep,” Hightower said. “
Charles Hatchett won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Representative District 1, which includes Logan County. He got 59.1 percent of the votes in the district, while his opponent, James Buckmaster, received 40.9 percent.
In Logan County, Hatchett got 69.2 percent of the votes. He will now face longtime Republican incumbent Ed Whitfield in the November election. Whitfield was unopposed for his party’s nomination.
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