Xiarhos Defeats Keyes In Primary For 5th Barnstable District

BRAINTREE, MA — Steven Xiarhos has won the Republican primary for the 5th Barnstable District. Xiarhos defeated challenger Thomas Keyes with more than 68 percent of the vote.

"I am honored to be the choice of Republican voters in the 5th Barnstable District, and I am forever grateful for their support," Xiarhos said in a statement. "I would like to thank my children and my fiancée, Denise, for their support throughout this campaign. And, I would like to thank the scores of volunteers who helped to get our campaign to this point for their very hard work. This campaign was a team effort all along, and I am very proud of our accomplishments."

Xiarhos has served as a Yarmouth police officer for 40 years. Keyes served as a Sandwich selectmen for six years.

The district has been represented by Republican Randy Hunt for the past nine years, but with Hunt not seeking re-election, Xiarhos will hope to keep the seat red in his November challenge against Democrat James Dever.

"This is a race not only for the heart and soul of the 5th Barnstable District, but also a campaign to help ensure the future of the people who live and work on Cape Cod," Xiarhos said. "People here are depending on our next State Representative to help them achieve the American Dream of making a better life for their family. To me, the formula for that success is simple: reopen our economy, let our businesses get back to work, and get our students back to school – safely, and quickly."

Here are the unofficial primary results in the 5th Norfolk District, according to the Associated Press:

Republican Primary

• Steven Xiarhos - 3,083
• Thomas Keyes - 1,423

Democratic Primary

• James Dever