Steven Tompkins Wins Suffolk County Sheriff's Race

Incumbent Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins handily won re-election Thursday night.

Preliminary election results show Tompkins, of Boston, bested challenger Alexander Rhalimi, of Revere.

Tompkins was first appointed to the post by then-Gov. Deval Patrick in 2013, succeeding Andrea J. Cabral.

Within Boston city limits, Tompkins took the lion's share of the votes cast. According to the city's preliminary numbers reported Thursday, he took nearly 79 percent of the vote to Rhalimi's roughly 21 percent support.

He posted to Facebook late Thursday night, thanking supporters:

Because there are no Republican or other party challengers, Tompkins will run unopposed in November.

Full Boston Primary Results: Suffolk County Sheriff, Legislative, City Council Races

Photo via Steven Tompkins campaign page.