Voters poured out in large numbers to vote for incumbent Phil Haire, D-Sylva, for the N.C. State House District 119 seat. Haire won by a landslide, taking more than 65 percent of the vote to win the Democratic primary and the chance to face GOP challenge Dodie Allen in November.

Long-shot candidate Avram Friedman, executive director of the clean-air advocacy group Canary Coalition, received about 30 percent of the votes.

“I couldn’t be more pleased for the support that I have received and the overwhelming amount of votes that I have had,” Haire said in a telephone interview from his Sylva home. “I am very thankful for the support and I don’t forget who I represent when I am away from this region.”

Beth Chambers of Sylva voted for Haire because of his constant support for the mountain region.

“He’s done good things for this area,” she said.

Haire will continue to represent Jackson, Macon, Haywood and Swain counties.

Smoky Mountain High School student Eric Barnes, voting in his first election, supported Haire because of his experience.

“He is familiar with this area,” said the 18-year-old.

Despite losing, Friedman says he was happy with the results.

“It doesn’t look like I am going to win,” he said. “But I think this sends a strong message to Mr. Haire.”

Friedman had campaigned on platform emphasizing renewable energy and on bringing a new philosophy to the General Assembly.

With the primary over, Haire plans to dedicate his time to the N.C. General Assembly short session, which convenes in Raleigh May 13.

Haire says he has some issues to address such as closure of the Mountain Research Station, a test farm in Haywood County that studies various methods to increase farmers’ productivity. A proposal is currently in the legislature to close the test farm.

He also is going to work toward obtaining funding to build a satellite medical school for UNC-Asheville campus.

“Theses are two things that are beneficial for this area,” he said.

Haire is also making plans to increase state funding to promote tourism in Western North Carolina.

“With people traveling less, I am going to try and get money in the budget to promote this area,” he said.