Centralia native John Martin will be the Republican nominee for the state house of representatives in November from house District 44 in Boone County. Martin, a Columbia-area businessman defeated Bryce Beal of Ashland with 61% of the vote in Tuesday’s primary election. Beal is an assistant attorney general. Martin will move on the face Democrat Dave Raithel in the November general election. The seat is currently occupied by term-limited Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch of Hallsville.
