State Senator Clark Barnes was the top GOP vote getter in Pocahontas County, but came in a distant third statewide.

With 1,607 of the state's 1,883 precincts reporting, first time candidate and Morgantown businessman Bill Maloney won the GOP race with former Secretary of State Betty Ireland as his next closest opponent.

State Senate President and Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin won in this county and cruised to an easy victory as the Democrat's candidate of choice.

Voter turnout was light throughout the state for this special primary election.

Of the 4,767 registered voters in Pocahontas County, only 955, or 20 percent,ﾠcame out on Saturday to participate in the selection process.

Unofficial results in the county show Republican candidate Clark Barnes with 133 votes, Betty Ireland with 86 and statewide winner Bill Maloney garnering 67.

On the Democrat ticket, Earl Ray Tomblin received 223 while his next closest opponent in the county was current Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant with 172.

Theﾠ Board of Election Commissioners will convene on Friday, May 20, at 8:30 a.m. in the county commission room to canvass and certify the election results.

Maloney and Tomblin will face off in a General Election on Tuesday, October 4.