Republicans nominated incumbent Kathy Smith as public defender for Florida’s 20th Judicial Circuit Tuesday. Smith handily won the primary with 44,226 votes, or 54 percent of the total. Brian Boyle was Smith’s closest challenger with 28,807 votes, or 35 percent, while Rex Darrow rounded out the field, garnering 9,428 votes or 11 percent.

The 20th Judicial Circuit encompasses Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades and Charlotte counties, but more than half of Smith’s votes came from Lee voters.

Smith won 23,326 votes in Lee County, 58 percent of the Lee vote. Boyle received 14,141 of his votes from Lee voters or 35 percent of the Lee tally, while Darrow picked up 2,641 votes in Lee, 7 percent of the county total.

Smith will face write-in candidate David Brener in the Nov. 4 general election.