Chuck Hufstetler took the state Senate District 52 seat without a runoff Tuesday, winning 54.14 percent of the vote in the three-man race, according to unofficial results from the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.

The district covers all of Floyd and parts of Bartow, Chattooga and Gordon counties.

“My strategy was to throw all my campaign resources into not having a runoff,” Hufstetler said of the GOP primary. “I thought it was possible to avoid one.”

He credited the endorsement of state Sen. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville, for his strong showing in Bartow County — and said Floyd voters remembered his record as a former county commissioner.

“I really tried to stress cutting taxes, balancing budgets and paying off debt,” Hufstetler said. “That’s what voters really need to hear at this time, and my track record of bringing jobs.”

David Doss and Hayden Collins were vying with Hufstetler for the Republican nomination. There’s no Democrat in the race, so his name will appear alone on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

Hufstetler racked up a total of 8,839 votes to Doss’ 4,817 and Collins’ 2,671. He also was the favorite in each of the four counties. The Alto Park precinct remained uncounted early this morning, but there were only about 500 votes cast there, elections officials said.

Doss, a real estate developer and former State Transportation Board member, conceded the race before all the votes were counted in Floyd.

“Congratulations to Chuck. I wish him the very best,” Doss said. “I’m going to get back to work, lick my wounds and try to bring a hotel to West Third Street (in downtown Rome).

The Georgia General Assembly next convenes in January 2013. Hufstetler said not having to run a general election campaign will give him time to prepare himself for the legislative session.

Collins could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

Hufstetler is an anesthetist at Redmond Regional Medical Center and owner of Paul’s Oyster Bar in Floyd County.

The months-long campaign was a heated battle between Hufstetler and Doss, with Collins — a political newcomer from Bartow County — considered a long shot.

Hufstetler was backed by Loudermilk, who currently represents the 52nd District but was drawn into the newly created 14th District due to reapportionment legislation.

Doss had support from Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.