Republic Mary Dye, who was appointed to an open state House seat this spring, was on top of Tuesday's primary to hold the position for the rest of the term.

Dye, of Pomeroy, had nearly 48 percent of the vote in Tuesday's ballot count. Democrat Ken Caylor, of Othello, was leading former Franklin County Sheriff Richard Lathim, the other Republican in the race, by less than 200 votes. Under the state's top two primary, party preference doesn't matter and either can advance to the general.

The seat became open after Rep. Susan Fagan resigned in the face of an ethics complaint about her expense accounts. Dye selected by county commissioners from the six counties in the mostly rural district after being among three nominees chosen by the district's precinct officers. She was sworn in and served during the Legislature's overtime sessions.

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