
Incumbent interim Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes won the Republican primary for his seat Tuesday with more than 88 percent of the vote, setting up a match between him and Democrat Carlton Lyles, a former major with the office, in November.
With all precincts reporting, unofficial tallies showed Estes receiving 3,262 votes to Smith’s 439.
Meanwhile, in the state senate primary for District 12, which encompasses Lee and Harnett counties and parts of Sampson County, incumbent Republican Jim Burgin defeated primary challengers David Buboltz and Ernie Watson with 6,044 votes to Buboltz’s 4,159 and Watson’s 1,230. Burgin will face Democrat Richard Chapman in the fall.