MADISON – For the first time in Boone County history a Republican candidate has been elected as a representative to the West Virginia House of Delegates. A newcomer to politics, Joshua Nelson, a Republican, defeated Democrat incumbent Larry Barker 3,942 votes to 2,396. Nelson received 62.17 percent to Barker’s 37.79 percent, according to unofficial totals. Nelson thanked his supporters, as well as thanking Barker for his service to his community. “I am very honored to be given the privilege to represent the best people and coal miners in the world at the state Legislature,” Nelson said. “I will fight as hard for our jobs and way of life as I did in this election.” Nelson was really given no chance to win by many because he was a Republican. Nelson became the first Republican to win a seat in the state House and the first Republican to win any election in Boone County since 1984. “There are so many people to thank, but I have to get up at 6:30 a.m. and go to work in a coal mine,” Nelson said. Boone County overwhelmingly voted for Republican Mitt Romney for U.S. President over Barack Obama, 5,414 votes to 2,777 or 63.73 percent to 32.69 percent. However, Obama was declared by most all news stations as the winner and re-elected to be the next president. Democrat Earl Ray Tomblin was also declared the winner of the West Virginia governor’s race over Republican Bill Maloney. Democrat Joe Manchin easily defeated Republican challenger John Raese for U.S. Senate. Look for a more detailed story and voting results precinct by precinct tomorrow on the Web and in the Nov. 14, 2012, edition of the Coal Valley News.