By Baker Ellis

The new Georgia state Senator representing District 29 will be either Randy Robertson or Valerie Haskins, after both won their respective primary elections on Tuesday night. Haskins, the Democratic nominee, received approximately 70 percent of the votes counted in the district to run away with the primary nomination, defeating Ben Anderson. Robertson, the Republican victor in the primary election, received approximately 70 percent of the Republican vote as well, besting Mayo “Biff” Haden.

District 29, which covers all of Meriwether and Harris County, as well as portions of Troup and Muscogee County, has previously been represented by state Senator Josh McKoon, who put his name in contention for the Secretary of State position.

Haskins only began her campaign 11 weeks ago, throwing her hat into the political arena for the first time. A longtime educator, she has maintained her priorities if elected will be education, health care, job creation and providing broadband internet to rural areas.

“I just started this campaign 11 weeks ago,” Haskins said on Tuesday night. “This is a grassroots campaign. People want common sense in government. I’m a mom, a grandmother, a teacher and I am listening to those people. It has shown, people are responding. I feel very honored and humbled and ready to serve. We’re ready to take off and get ready to work for the election in November.”

Anderson could not be reached for comment on Tuesday night.

On the Republican side, Robertson was able to take commanding control of the district as well. The 30-year law enforcement veteran retired from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Department in 2015 and has been endorsed by Congressman and former West Point mayor Drew Ferguson, Troup County Sheriff James Woodruff and Tax Commissioner Shane Frailey.

“This is the result of having a really good team together,” Robertson said on Tuesday night. “I had my wife, my family and a real solid team behind me. We were putting out a strong message to deal with issues within District 29 related to poverty, education, job creation and serious issues with infrastructure. The fact that we are an extremely conservative team, I think went a long way to convincing voters we would be the best choice to represent the Republican party as we move forward to the general election.”

Robertson’s platform is centered around a conservative approach to safety, infrastructure improvement, job creation and education advancements.

Hadden, a retired Colonel, was running for office for the first time and said he would be back to contend for a position in the future.

“In its simplest context, it was a good race,” Hadden said. “I don’t think that the voters really understood everything they needed to about the two candidates. We’ll try again in the future.”

Robertson and Haskins will now move on to the general election, which will be held on November 6.