Gualtieri Beats Rice for Republican Nod for Sheriff

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri will be on the Republican ticket in November.

Gualtieri fended off challenger and former sheriff Everett Rice in Tuesday's primary, picking up about 57 percent of the vote to Rice's 42 percent.

All 299 precincts had reported by 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.

A technical glitch , according to Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark. Vote totals had to be delivered to the elections office in Largo to be counted.

Gualtieri celebrated his victory Tuesday evening at Bascom's Chop House in Clearwater. Rice's campaign held a private gathering in Treasure Island.

Gualtieri was appointed interim sheriff , after Jim Coats retired from the job.

He will face Democratic challenger Scott Swope and independent candidate Greg Pound in the November general election.

In another ballot showdown, Republican State Rep. Peter Nehr, representing District 65 in North Pinellas, easily held off three challengers, winning 53 percent of the vote.

To see updated election results from the Aug. 14, 2012, primary elections in Pinellas County, visit this link.