BRECKENRIDGE – Summit County Republicans came out in force in favor of Debra Irvine in the GOP primary for state House District 61 Tuesday.

Irvine secured an early lead district-wide, hanging on to 53 percent of the vote with 77 percent of precincts reporting, according to results from the Associated Press at press time.

Irvine claimed 518 votes in Summit County over Gunnison hopeful David Justice’s 222, according to final, unofficial results from the Summit County Clerk and Recorder Tuesday night.

“We just have to wait and see,” Irvine said. “We’re hopeful. I’m grateful to the supporters in Summit County who believe in our campaign.”

Irvine was leading in Lake County with 58 percent of the vote and in Justice’s home county of Gunnison with 51 percent, Tuesday night, but Justice was holding on to a 53-47 percent lead in Delta County and results from Pitkin were not yet available.

Justice could not be immediately reached for comment.

The winner of the Republican primary will join Independent Kathleen Curry and American Constitution Party Robert Petrowsky to challenge incumbent state Rep. Millie Hamner (D – Dillon ) for the new HD61 seat.

The district encompasses Summit, Lake, Pitkin and parts of Delta and Gunnison counties.

Democrats also went to the primary polls Tuesday, although Summit County voters did not have any contested races to decide.

Hamner took home 441 votes.