Republican Kent Collins sprinted to an early lead at Tuesday’s ballot in a bid to become a new member of Lexington County Council.

Collins, a lawyer who is a former prosecutor, was in front of the five-candidate field from the start in a district centered in the town of Lexington and areas to its west and north.

In other contests, councilmen Jim Kinard and Bobby Keisler were ahead of challengers, while county clerk of court Beth Carrigg cruised to victory.

Collins declined to claim victory as the tally put him ahead early Wednesday.

“I’m not celebrating yet,” he said. “Everybody worked really hard in this election. People knew they could cross the party line, but so far they are staying with me.”

He is in line to replace Smokey Davis, who retired after 14 years as a councilman.

All three council races were delayed primaries.

Each was created when Republicans disqualified at the June 12 primary election for failure to report personal finances persuaded hundreds of voters to sign petitions restoring the candidates to the ballot Tuesday.

All of the petition candidates campaigned as Republicans, with GOP leaders telling voters it was OK to vote for any of the five.

Reach Flach at (803) 771-8483.