COEUR d'ALENE - Idaho State Rep. Vito Barbieri had a strong lead in Tuesday's Republican primary race, edging Fritz Wiedenhoff in the race for District 2, Seat A.

Meanwhile, newcomer Eric Redman held a lead over incumbent Ed Morse for the district's Position B at press time.

If he wins the Republican primary, Barbieri will face Democrat Cheryl Stransky on Nov. 4 in a bid for a third term. Since he was first elected in 2010, the 62-year-old Dalton Gardens resident has served on the House's Business, Local Government and State Affairs committees.

With absentee ballots and 11 of 70 precincts counted, Barbieri had 1,147 votes and Wiedenhoff trailed with 560 votes. If he loses, Tuesday's election will be Wiedenhoff's third failed bid for office.

Redman, a retired business owner from Rathdrum, had a lead of almost 200 votes as of press time: 933 votes for Redman and 745 votes for Morse.

The winner for Seat B is unopposed in the November primary.

The far right crowd at Daanen's Deli was jubilant as many candidates in their slate - at least for local races - appeared to be headed for victory. About 100 supporters packed into the Hayden deli, gathering around laptop computers and watching the results on a big screen as they trickled in.

As they awaited early returns, pastor Gary Brown led the group in prayer.

"God, we just give this election to you," he said, adding that he believed the group of candidates they supported would make Him happy.

He asked God to help those gathered to come together as one.

"May tonight make you as happy as our prayer," Brown said.

Unopposed in both the primary and November ballots, District 2 Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, retains his seat.