A former congressman is claiming victory in a race to be the top elected official in Bay County.
Jim Barcia (BAR'-sha) told supporters Tuesday night that he's won the Democratic nomination for county executive, defeating longtime incumbent Thomas Hickner. With no one running on the Republican side, Barcia has a clear path in the fall election.
Hickner tells The Bay City Times that he appreciates his supporters and will cooperate with Barcia during the year-end transition. He's been in charge of county government for nearly 24 years.
Barcia was a congressman for a decade and then served two terms as a state senator.
