Casper City Council incumbent Maury Daubin held a big lead over challengers and political newcomers Peggy Phillips and Terry Lane.

Daubin came in first in Tuesday's primary election, collecting 1,722 votes totaling more than 57 percent. Long-time Casper resident and Wyoming Behavioral Institute patient representative Peggy Phillips followed with 709 votes.

Lane, a Casper native, was 136 votes behind Phillips in the eastside Casper election.

Both Phillips, 60, and Daubin, 56, will proceed to the general election in Ward III, vying for Daubin's open seat.

County officials expect to release final results and announce write-in candidates on Friday.

"I am very gratified," Daubin said. "It's flattering to get that approval by the voters, and it's on to the general election now."

Daubin said he will continue campaigning by going door-to-door and talking to people about the issues he sees as most important.

Phillips said she "felt great" and was surprised by the results. She hopes to place more signs around her ward as well as visit homes in the area.

"I'm going to run a clean race," she said.

She has several issues she wants to address if she wins the general election, including keeping the public pools open.

"I don't want the pools to close," she said. "I teach at LifeTime and I see families there, and I talk to people and want to watch out to make sure there are things for kids to do."

Daubin also pledged to keep the public pools open, voting against measures to close the pools or raise rates during his past four years on council.

Affordable housing is a hot-button issue for both of the candidates, each saying they hope to address the need for more rentals.

Daubin said he wants to go to the Legislature and ask for assistance with what he said is an affordable housing shortage. In the face of fewer building permits and less sales tax revenue, the city needs to focus on housing.

"I think we do have to pay attention to the basics," he said. "With the increase in population and with the economic slowdown, we have some basic services to look after and we can't be frivolous with funds. "

Phillips said the council needs to encourage developers to build low-cost homes.

"There are homes that are sitting there, and they are high priced homes," she said.

Phillips thinks the city should stop placing emphasis on the Old Yellowstone District and leave the future decisions to business owners and private developers. Daubin said the city is on the right track with the redevelopment area.

Funding a civic auditorium isn't high on Daubin's list of what he would like to accomplish if he wins the general election. He said Casper has other critical needs like fire stations that he believes may come before an auditorium.

Phillips does want to see a civic auditorium in Casper, and even though she isn't sure how much support a center should receive, but thinks the council should help with the possible center.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com