Bliss, who is finishing his 16th year as town supervisor, defeated Ed Olsen by a more than two-to-one margin, 130 _ 60, in the Republican primary.

The supervisor said last week he believes his record and 20 years of experience in Middlefield government is valuable to town residents and the reason why he should be re-elected.

Olsen’s campaign centered on the idea that it was a time for a change in Middlefield, but his platform did not resonate with voters.

Bliss could not be reached Wednesday morning for comment.

In Hartwick, Supervisor Mary Balcom, who has more than 25 years in town government, was defeated by Pat Ryan in a Democratic primary race for the party ballot line in the November general election. The margin was 70 to 43.

Ryan said Wednesday morning that she believes the vote signals residents’ desire for a change in town government.

``I’m very glad I won and that Martha (Clarvoe) won. I’m hoping we can keep up the momentum and win in November. It’ll be a fight right down to the wire.’’

Balcom and Ryan will face off again in the November election because both candidates also filed independent nominating petitions. There is no Republican candidate for town supervisor.

Ryan believes that many people in town want leadership that is more open and responsive to their desires and that her outspoken nature and willingness to challenge the board’s decisions struck a chord with residents.

``Hartwick is at a crucial time in its history. It’s the fastest growing town in the county and has great natural resources. We want to move forward and have growth, but it must be carefully controlled. We have to be able to do both,’’ she said.

In a second primary election in Hartwick, there was a three-way race for two ballot positions for the town board. Martha Clarvoe topped the trio with 73 votes followed by Lynn Green with 66 and Caren Kelsey with 50.