State Rep. David Knight, R-Griffin, won the Republican primary election Tuesday for Georgia House of Representatives District 126 against Jackson resident Bill Mauldin, according to unofficial numbers provided by the elections division of the Office of Georgia Secretary of State.

As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, Knight had 1,208 votes, while Mauldin had received 283 votes, with 13 out of 18 precincts reporting. Since there are no Democratic candidates for the District 126 seat, the winner of the Republican primary will automatically win the House seat.

Numbers are not considered complete and official until certified by both the county election superintendents and the secretary of state, which is not expected to be completed until next week.

“I believe folks think that I’ve done a good job,” said Knight, who has served as state representative since 2005. “We have a tough budget ahead of us with the economy. That’s going to be the number one issue.”

Mauldin issued a statement via e-mail Tuesday night.

“Though my race is lost, I will continue in my efforts to better our community through developing private enterprises and seeking out new businesses.” he said. “I will continue working with our citizens and local officials to effect the sustainable change we need to make our district stronger and better. My vision for this community is one of great potential for ourselves and our children, and it is unshakable.”

District 126 includes parts of Spalding County, parts of Lamar County and parts of Butts County.

In the race for state senator for District 17, Rick Jeffares for the Republican Party and Jim Nichols for the Democratic Party were leading in their primaries, according to the elections division of the secretary of state.

Jeffares received 45 percent of all votes, with 79 percent of all precincts reporting. He came in ahead of Todd Hilton and Ester Fleming Jr., who received 31 percent and 24 percent, respectively.

Nichols claimed 63 percent of all votes, with 80 percent of all precincts reporting. He was ahead of his only challenger, Nicholas P. Day.

The Georgia Senate District 17 seat became vacant when state Sen. John Douglas, R-Social Circle, decided to run for the District 2 seat of the Georgia Public Service Commission.

Senate District 17 includes parts of Spalding, Walton, Newton, Henry and Rockdale counties.