Published: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 1:11 AM CDT

Republican voters in Yankton County settled on the slates for the District 18 House race and the Yankton County Commission during Tuesday’s primary elections.

Incumbent Mark Johnson and challenger Jim Van Osdel came away victorious in the Yankton County Commission primary on Tuesday.

The two will now face off with incumbent Donna Freng, who is an independent, in November for the two open county commission seats.

Meanwhile, Mike Stevens and Thomas Stotz advanced as District 18 state representative candidates and will now face Democrats Bernie Hunhoff and Charlie Gross in the November general election.

In the County Commission primary, Johnson received 804 votes, or about 43 percent, while Van Osdel received 716 votes, or approximately 38 percent. Challenger Connie Kerns-Grams received about 19 percent of the vote (360 votes).

Johnson said he was hoping for better numbers, but was still the top vote-getter on the night.

“We need to get people to recognize the work of the commission over the past seven years,” Johnson said. He added, “We want people to know what we’ve done, and that we are there working for every part of the           community.”

He went on to congratulate Van Osdel on a well-run primary and said that he will be a worthy opponent in the fall general election along with Freng. He noted that Van Osdel has high name recognition within the community.

Van Osdel said he is very pleased with the results. He said that he now plans on meeting as many people as possible before the November general election.

“It is very complimentary when people go to the voting booth and cast a ballet for me,” Van Osdel added.

In the state House race, Stotz collected 738 votes for about 35 percent, followed by Stevens with 710 votes for about 33 percent. Matt Stone was third with 586 votes for about 27 percent, while Thomas Bixler collected 98 votes for about 4.6 percent.

Stotz said he is thankful for the other candidates who were willing to put their names on the ballot and is looking forward to competing later this fall.

He said the campaign this fall will take a lot more work than the primary election did.

“One of my political friends who I have been working with told me to just relax for a month and then start putting together fund raisers and start campaigning and talking with people,” Stotz said.

Stevens could not be reached for comment.

County Auditor Paula Jones said the winners will be officially declared after the statewide   canvas.

Jones said although the day went well, voter turnout was low. The final turnout tall was just 16.9 percent.

“It always bothers me when people don’t get out and vote,” Jones said. “It’s sad because everyone does have a right to vote and I think they should exercise it.”

Jones said she has noticed voter turnout goes in cycles.

“We see cycles of apathy if there isn’t something that seems to grab people like a big issue or a candidate they’re passionate about,” Jones said.

Also, Yankton native Matt Varilek won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House race. In Yankton County, he received 872 votes while Jeff Barth collected 125 votes.

Varilek will face Rep. Kristi Noem in the fall general election.