Jeff Miller

From Daily Planet Staff Reports

Hendersonville businessman Jeff Miller is the apparent winner in the 11th Congressional District’s Republican primary on May 4.

While Miller is not yet declaring victory over Dr. Dan Eichenbaum, a Murphy opthalmologist and tea party activist, it appears unlikely that he will drop below the 40 percent mark, under which a runoff runoff would be required between Miller and Eichenbaum.

Unofficial election results show that Miller, a dry-cleaning business-owner, netted 40.2 percent of 35,833 votes in a six-candidate field. Eichenbaum finished with 34 percent, while former Hendersonville Mayor Greg Newman, got 11.67 percent.

One factor that could change the result is provisional ballots, which are votes that election officials put aside because of questions over a voter’s registration. To change the result, at least 132 such ballots would have to be allowed, with most going to candidates other than Miller.