As his supporters shouted “still with Will,” Liberty County Sheriff Will Bowman celebrated a victory in the Democrat primary Tuesday night.

Bowman, a first-term sheriff, defeated three challengers in the primary and will not need a runoff before facing Republican opponent Gary Eason in the November general election.

“I feel great,” Bowman said. “I feel blessed that the citizens believe in me and they trust in what I do is right.”

Bowman captured 3,344 of 5,255 votes, or 63.6%. He received 1,202 of the 1,933 votes cast on election day, and 1,972 of the 3,061 ballots cast during early voting.

Former Hinesville City Council member and sheriff’s deputy Keith Jenkins was second with 901 votes. Former Liberty County sheriff’s deputy Gary Richardson was third with 751 votes and Kevin Hofkin had 249 votes.

“Every time you’re in an election, it’s going to be a hard race,” Bowman said. “Everybody had the best thoughts of what the county should be. They like the direction the county is going in.

I’m blessed to have the support I have here, and I love this county.”

Eason, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary, collected 1,252 votes.

Bowman said the county is trying to go in a more positive direction and he wants to make sure all his officers are well-trained for the situations that might confront them.

“We work well as a team,” he said.

Early voting for the November 5 general election

Lewis Levine contributed to this story.