The Butler County Probate Judge's race proved to be one-sided on Tuesday night. Steve Norman, the Democratic incumbent, handily defeated his Republican opponent, Johnny Lee, by a margin of more than 2,500 votes.

With 27 boxes reporting (not counting provisional ballots), Norman received 4,772 votes (71.13 percent of the vote), compared to Lee's 1,937 votes (28.87 percent of the vote).

Lee proved a gracious loser as he congratulated Norman on his victory.

&#8220I'm happy right now. Sure, I'd rather be a winner than a loser. But either way, I can deal with it,” Lee said.

This campaign has been an enriching experience. Life is still good.”

Norman was originally appointed to the office after former Probate Judge MacDonald Russell was elected District Judge. This summer's primary, in which Norman defeated opponents Charles Rogers and John Hall, was the Democratic incumbent's first campaign experience.

Norman said he was both &#8220pleased and humbled” with his wide margin of victory.

&#8220You really don't know what to expect until the election arrives. This is the only poll that really counts,” Norman said.

&#8220I'm very happy and very humbled to be here tonight with that kind of support. Now I am going to try and make sure the voters understand they did the right thing by voting for me.”