Wilkinson Wins State Senate Race

John Wilkinson will keep his 50th District State Senate seat.

The Stephens County Republican defeated Roy Benifield in Tuesday’s Republican primary by nearly 10,000 votes.

Wilkinson said it was a great night.

“I really appreciate the support that I received,” said Wilkinson. “We were fortunate. We carried every county in the 50th Senatorial District, so it was a big win for us. It was humbling, but I realize that this gives me a mandate. The people have put their confidence in me and I just want to assure everyone that I plan to continue to work hard every day to continue to represent you and if there is anything I can do to help, I hope they will call on me.”

District-wide, Wilkinson had 17,707 votes, or 69.63 percent, compared to 7,723 votes, or 30.37 percent, for Benifield.

The margin was even larger in Stephens County.

Wilkinson received 3,038 votes, or 81.4 percent, in Stephens County to Benifield’s 694 votes, or 18.6 percent.

Meanwhile, 28th District State Representative Dan Gasaway was elected Tuesday without any opposition in the Republican primary.

Neither the State Senate or State House seat have Democratic opposition.