SALEM — Bill Hansell, R-Athena, took an overwhelming lead Tuesday night over challenger Garison Lee Alger in the 29th District State Senate Republican primary, according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.

Hansell took 93% of the 6,138 early votes cast, easily outdistancing Alger, who garnered only 425 early votes.

Hansell is in his eighth year as a senator for District 29, which includes Umatilla, Morrow, Wallowa, Union, Gilliam, Sherman and half of Wasco counties. Hansell served for 30 years as a Umatilla County commissioner.

Alger, a Pendleton carpenter, filed Feb. 5 to run in the Republican primary. According to his filing paperwork, Alger is a Pendleton High School graduate with experience in construction, flooring, metal fabrication and customer service.