Two local Republicans earned decisive victories in Tuesday's primary election.

Zach Dieken, of rural Granville, and Lynn Evans, of Aurelia, won their party's nomination in Iowa House District 5 and Iowa Senate District 3, respectively. They move on to the November election and face almost certain victory, as no Democrats are running for either seat.

Evans, a former superintendent at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn and Alta-Aurelia, defeated challenger Anthony LaBruna with 64.7 percent of the vote. He won majorities in every county in District 3, which includes all of Osceola, O'Brien and Buena Vista...