NATCHEZ — Incumbent Republican State Sen. Melanie Sojourner, R-District 37, of Natchez, handily defeated challengers Lane Reed, Meadville mayor, and Natchez resident Curtis Moroney in Tuesday’s primary election.

On the Democratic side, Bob M. Dearing of Natchez, who served as District 37 senator for 32 years, defeated challenger Etta Batteaste-Taplin.

Sojourner defeated Dearing for the position in 2011.

In the Republican primary, with 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Sojourner earned 2,150 votes or 56 percent and avoided a runoff with her challengers. Reed garnered 1,279 votes or 33 percent and Moroney earned 417 votes or 11 percent.

With 54 of 57 precincts reporting, Dearing earned 6,364 votes or 58 percent over Batteaste-Taplin’s 4,535 votes or 42 percent.

Sojourner and Dearing will face off in the general election on Nov. 3.