Venice attorney Charles Hines cruised to a win over opponent Randy McLendon in Tuesday’s Republican primary for the Sarasota County Commission District 5 seat being vacated by Jon Thaxton.

With 97 of 98 precincts reporting, Hines had 58.85 percent of the vote, over McLendon’s 41.15 percent. He had 14,528 votes, compared to 10,158 for McLendon.