A tense night turned into a thrilling victory Tuesday as Terry Bell claimed the Republican nomination for County Executive.

Bell barely edged Joseph Stotts by 23 votes in unofficial election results released by the Warren County Election Commission on Tuesday night.

Bell finished with 1,890 votes while Stotts finished with 1,867 votes, according to results.

Percentage wise, Bell earned 50.1% of the total vote while Stotts earned 49.6%.

The results will be certified May 19.

By virtue of winning the Republican nomination, Bell advances to the General Election  where he will face incumbent County Executive Jimmy Haley, who is running as an independent.

"I think it's a win for Warren County today," said Bell moments after his announced victory. He praised Stotts for mounting a clean challenge. "He ran a good campaign and I'd like for all his voters to come support me in August."

Based on precinct-by-precinct results that were released throughout the night, it appeared Stotts was ahead by 100 to 200 votes, but the final results proved otherwise, just barely.

"That's a close race. That's a nail biter right there," said Bell.

Bell turned to his upcoming race against Haley.

"I think it's time for the people of Warren County to take back the County Executive's Office and for We the People to run it. We'll be exposing some things over the past three and a half years that I feel have moved the county in the wrong direction," said Bell.

In the only other race where a candidate was eliminated in the primary, the Republican race for 1st District County Commission, Ron Lee and Ryan Sexton advanced to the General Election in August.