Spirits were high at Jody Hice’s campaign headquarters Tuesday night at 550 Trackside in Lawrenceville, as results slowly trickled in for the District 7 seat that John Linder (R) is stepping down from. With Hice and Rob Woodall head-to-head, Hice’s percentage landing at 27 percent early this morning and Woodall’s at 36 percent, a runoff election is set for Aug. 10.

With 180 of 189 precincts reporting Hice had 18,097 votes and Woodall stood at 24,027.

Hice, who was running against eight Republicans and one Democrat, was calm and collected at the event/dinner held in his honor.

"[I’m] just totally at peace," said Hice. "We have done what we can do, now we’re just trusting in the Lord," he said.

Unofficial results from Barrow County early this morning, with 16 out of 16 precincts reporting and absentee and mail-in ballots counted, Hice showed 2,761 votes with Rob Woodall bringing in 1,371. Hice was at nearly 55 percent with Woodall at just under 26 percent.

Sandra and Wayne Dixson of Winder attended the event in support of Hice.

"We have been enthusiastic supporters of Jody Hice, since we found out he was running for office," said Sandra Dixson. "I feel like he has just changed pulpits, that he really has the courage of his convictions and he won’t forget where he came from when he goes to Washington," she said. "That he will answer to the people who sent him and to a higher power."

For more on Hice, check out today's issue of the Barrow County News.