A Hayfield man won by a large margin Tuesday in the Minnesota District 27 Republican primary election.

Gene Dornink, a carpenter, received 948 votes, or 69.2 percent of the vote. Cynthia Gail, of Albert Lea, received 423 votes, or 30.9 percent of the vote.

Dornink will face incumbent Dan Sparks, a Democrat who ran unopposed in the primary and received 1,379 votes.

First elected in 2002, Sparks has been re-elected in 2006, 2010 and 2012.

Dornink thanked Gail for running in the primary, noting his excitement in moving forward, meeting Sparks and discussing issues, such as health care, education and the state’s business climate.

Dornink has said his goals if elected to the Minnesota Senate include accountability, getting back to the basics and respecting the Constitution.

“We are getting taxed enough,” Dornink said, noting his belief that the state needs to spend the money it has wisely.

Gail, an art teacher at United South Central, said she was asked not to campaign because she was not endorsed by the GOP, and said it was a good experience to learn about the voters in the area.

She said she wants to see transparency in the endorsement and funding of government officials and candidates.

Polls were open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday as part of the statewide primary election day.