Photos for Headline Surfer® /
Relative unknown Derek Hankerson, shown in the inset, came up short against incumbent John Thrasher in the GOP primary for state senator.
PALM COAST -- State Sen. John Thrasher easily defeated Putnam County Tea Party hopeful Derek Hankerson in in Tuesday's Republican primary in all four counties that comprise his district 6 seat.
Though he remans a contender for president at Florida State University, his alma mater, Thrasher said his No. 1 is re-election in November when he faces Democrat Kathleen Trued, a retired St. Augustine teacher who lost to him two years ago, and fellow challenger Greg Feldman, who is running as an independent.