CHATSWORTH, Ga. — Greg Hogan, who defeated Murray County sole commissioner Brittany Pittman in Tuesday’s Republican primary for the position, thanked “the people of Murray County from the bottom of my heart for believing and supporting me.”

Hogan, who served as sole commissioner in 2011-2012, received 2,906 votes (52.2 percent) to 2,661 votes (47.8 percent) for Pittman. No Democrat qualified for the position, so Hogan is expected to take office in January.

Pittman, who has drawn criticism from some for her role in the location of an inland port in the county that is expected to be operational in 2018, said serving the people of Murray County is a privilege.

“It’s unfortunate that progress and change are oftentimes necessary, but hard to accept,” she said.

Pittman said the voters have spoken and she wishes Hogan the best.

Christy Pate of Chatsworth said she “enthusiastically believes” in Hogan.

Pate said she’s known Hogan a long time and he’s like family to her.

Hogan’s daughter, Sarah Brindle, said she thinks her dad will do a good job.

“He’s for the county and wants to do good things. I don’t think he had a lot of time last time (he was in office),” she said.

But not everyone believes in Hogan. Sabrina Dant supported Pittman and said she’s done an “excellent job.”

Dant said Hogan winning is a “setback” for the community. She praised Pittman for bringing in the inland port “and getting jobs” for the county.