Surrounded by nearly 30 friends and family on the deck of his Weatherly residence, Tom Gerhard celebrated with running mate Wayne Nothstein on Tuesday night as the incumbent Carbon County commissioners found out they were the top two Republican vote getters in the primary election.

Nothstein and Gerhard will be two of four names on the ballot for commissioner in November's general election, joining Democratic candidates William O'Gurek, also an incumbent, and Rocky Ahner, a current Lehighton school board member.By the time all 51 Carbon County precincts were accounted for, Nothstein's 2,366 votes and Gerhard's 2,139 votes soundly defeated challengers Duane Dellecker and Wayne Smith, who received 1,495 and 1,459 votes respectively."The voters showed confidence in us and thanks to them for all the support we received," Gerhard said. "We feel great, but this is just the first step. Wayne and I are going to continue to work really hard. I'll take about a week off and get right back at the campaigning."Gerhard said he feels confident about his and Nothstein's chances to be back in office with fellow commissioner O'Gurek come November.Shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m., the race got off to an extremely close start.With the first five precincts in, Nothstein was the leading vote-getter at 185 votes, but he was followed by Smith at 171, Gerhard at 166 and Dellecker at 164."It was close early and there is no doubt about that," Nothstein said. "We certainly feel a lot better now."By the time 12 precincts reported, however, Nothstein and Gerhard took a lead they wouldn't relinquish.As the sitting commissioners, there is little time off for both men."We're right back at it Wednesday," Nothstein said. "I have a prison board meeting at 1 p.m. I don't know if I'll be able to sleep much tonight so I might go out and start picking up my signs early."Nothstein, a Lehighton resident, will be seeking a fifth term in office come November. Gerhard will be seeking his second term.Given past results, the duo might just be back in Weatherly for an election night gathering in November."We were here the first time we successfully ran together in the primary election in 2011, so we decided to come back to what has worked for us," Gerhard said.Democratic raceIncumbent O'Gurek was the top vote-getter on the Democrat ballot for Carbon County Commissioner, with 3,283 votes.Newcomer to the county race Ahner garnered 2,011 for a spot on the ballot in November.Summit Hill Councilman Jesse Walck came in third with 1,745 votes. Towamensing businessman Thomas Boyko had 605 votes and Lower Towamensing supervisor Brent Green had 595 votes.O'Gurek was with his family, friends and political peers at the Summit Hill Community Center Tuesday night."When we set out on this campaign in January, we had around 250 people in this very same room and it represented family and friends. I told those people then, 'That if we were going to win, it was because of each and every one of you," O'Gurek told his supporters."I am so grateful and appreciative of every single person who helped me win this nomination and all the voters who believed in me," he said, adding,"I believe my experience, positive attitude and willingness to work for the people of Carbon County showed up in today's numbers."Ahner was stationed at the courthouse as the last results came in."I'm really satisfied with the results tonight. I was just excited getting into the race. I'll savor the win tonight, but tomorrow it goes back to zero-zero and I'll get back out there to see what I can do for the people of Carbon County," Ahner said.A total of three commissioners will be elected in November.Ron Gower and Bob Ford contributed to this report.