State Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, and State Rep. B.R. Skelton, R-Clemson, said Wednesday they are pleased to have survived Tuesday’s Republican primary, although Skelton still faces one final hurdle in November.

Martin won more than 80 percent of the 12,301 votes cast, as he easily defeated Central Mayor Mac Martin 9,859 to 2,442. Because there is no Democratic challenger, Larry Martin is assured of another term in Columbia beginning next January.

Meanwhile, Skelton found the going much tougher as he edged challenger Trey Whitehurst 1,524 to 1,280. Skelton will now face Democratic challenger Jason Gale in the November general election.

“I respect my opponent’s work ethic but do not respect the ethics used by outside groups — particularly the lack of truth in what they were saying,” Skelton said, referring to out-of-state organizations that funded Whitehurst’s campaign.

If elected in November, Skelton said he would take several priorities back to Columbia. First, the Six Mile resident said a system must be developed to ease the costs of repairing deteriorating roads.

“We’re on about a 60-year paving cycle instead of 15 for primary roads and a 75-year cycle instead of 15 for secondary roads,” Skelton said.

Skelton said he would also seek ways to fund educational operating expenses statewide rather than through property taxes in the local school districts.

Larry Martin said he plans to continue work on a bill to restructure some state government offices as well as continued funding for highway and school improvements. He also plans to keep working closely with city and county officials throughout Pickens County.

“I have a great relationship with the county and municipal folks and want to continue helping all of them — from Clemson to Easley to Pickens and everything in between — in order for Pickens County to continue to be the kind of county in which I want to live,” Larry Martin said.