"Republicans in eastern and southern Collier County selected incumbent commissioner Jim Coletta by a margin of nearly 2 to 1.

Coletta will now face Democrat Russel Kish in the Nov. 4 general election.

With 100 percent of the votes unofficially reported by Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Edwards, Coletta received 2,193 votes, or 65.54 percent, compared to challenger Roberto “Bob" Alonso, who received 1,153 votes or 34.46 percent.

“Oh my god," Coletta said, when first told of the voting trend. “Oh my god."

“I’m so relieved that I got that voter confidence. Mr. Alonso put on a great campaign. He brought together a large element. I give him a lot of credit," Coletta said. “I’m going to work very hard to win over (those who voted for Alonso) and I want, very much, to bring Mr. Alonso more into (the fold.) Get him involved in advisory boards and committees."

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