Former state Rep. Ray Cox, R-Northfield, handily won a primary held Tuesday to narrow the field of Republicans vying to replace state Sen. Tom Neuville, R-Northfield. Neuville was appointed to a judgeship last month by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and said he would resign his seat in Senate District 25.
Cox won with 2,029 votes, 67 percent of the Republican total, followed by Rod Tietz, who received 649 votes, and Keith Swenson, who had 363.
Cox will face DFLer Kevin Dahle and Independence Party candidate Vance Norgaard in a special election Jan. 3.
SARAH LEMAGIE
