Incumbent Matt Keating and former city council member Ed Opella, both Republican candidates for the Natrona County Commission, will move on to the Nov. 4 general election, according to unofficial results from the county clerk's office.

Seven Republicans and two Democrats vied for two four-year seats on the commission in the primary election Tuesday.

Democrats Ray Pacheco and Worth Christie ran unopposed in the primary and will face the two Republican candidates in a "gang race." In a "gang race," the candidates all run against each other in a true popularity contest, and two Republicans or two Democrats or a combination thereof could win in the general election, according to County Clerk Renea Vitto.

Keating, who said he was "tickled pink that I don't have to take all my signs down," led with 3,684 votes. Opella followed closely with 3,674.

Opella, a retired business owner, said he's looking forward to the general election and getting into office and working for the county.

"I'll show up for work and I'll be there," he said. "I'll get things done."

Looking forward not only to the general election but also to continuing in office, Keating said he will keep putting up signs and handing out fliers. He estimates that from going door to door and with the help of friends and family, he passed out nearly 8,000 fliers leading up to the primary.

"I'm really excited," said the firefighter and father of seven, admitting that he suspects the general election "is going to be a nail-biter."

He stayed at the courthouse all evening, waiting for election results to arrive.

"I've been a nervous wreck all day," he said. "When running, you really have to put forth an effort, and it gets personal. I want to give my condolences to those people that didn't make it."

If he wins in the November election, Keating said he'll continue pushing for a new juvenile detention center, a project that's been close to his heart for several years. He also plans to work on other projects to improve the community, including one that will encourage installation of charging stations for electric wheelchairs along the Platte River Parkway.

Celebrating with his daughter and new grandson, who he had just picked up from Denver, Opella learned of his victory while spending a quiet night at home with his family.

"I feel wonderful," he said. "I think it's great, and I appreciate that people had confidence in me."

Thanking all who voted for him, Opella said he plans to talk with Natrona County citizens and find out what's important to them in preparation for the general election.

"Hopefully, we'll have some debates and meet people, and try to convince them that I should be one of the ones they put in office," he said. "That always seems to be the best way."

County officials expect to finalize the primary election results and announce viable write-in candidates, if any, on Friday.

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com