Hardesty defeated challenger Nick Aitken 764 votes to 580 in the Republican Primary. No Democrats sought the position so Tuesday's primary decided the race.
Unofficially just 4 votes separated the top two in the primary election of Mayor of Falls City. Kevin Malone received 374 votes, current City Council member Kenny Killingsworth received 370 votes. They will face off in the November General Election. Dennis Miller received 148 votes and Mark Galaska 26.
In the Ward II Council race in Falls City, Sean Nolte advanced to the General Election with 105 votes. Robert D. Olberding received 79 votes to advance. Terry Kermoade received 67 votes.
The only other contested race in Richardson County was for Mayor of Humboldt. Kevin Burnison received 118 votes, incumbent Jan Wilhelm will advance to November with 56 votes. Ted Schuler had 25 votes and James Cherry 12.
In Pawnee County, the only contested race in the Primary Election was for the Republican nomination for District 2 County Commissioner. Joshua Black received 86 votes, Gavin McHenry 67, Brad Stake 18 and Chris Nicholas 12.
In Nemaha County Nebraska, in the District 3 race for the Republican nomination for County Commissioner Kim Buchmeier received 235 votes, Incumbent Michael Weiss 201 votes, Marvin Bohling 50 votes and Philip Gerdes 21.
In Auburn the field of candidates for Mayor of Auburn was narrowed to two. Stephanie Holmes received 432 votes, incumbent Mayor Chris Erickson 286, Allen Linden 59 and Gary Nerison 22.
Incumbent Angelo Ligouri was defeated for the Republican nomination for Nemaha County Attorney. Seth Hawkins of Cook received 733 votes and Ligouri 388. There were no Democrats seeking the seat.
In Peru, voters cast their ballots in a recall effort of Peru City Council President Theresa Westfall. 66 voters cast ballots to retain Westfall in office with 42 votes cast in favor of the recall.
