The State House dean appeared to edge out the rookie challenger in Lexington’s House District 87 but did not win enough votes to avoid a runoff election in two weeks.

With all precincts reporting, Larry Koon held a small lead over first-time candidate Nikki Haley and a third challenger, David Perry. Koon and Haley will face off again in two weeks for the Republican nomination.

There is no Democratic candidate.

Koon, 60, is the current longest-serving member of the House of Representatives, first elected in 1974. The victory shows Koon still has support despite questions about whether he still reflects the desires of the rapidly growing district’s new residents.

“I kind of figured there’d probably be a runoff,” Koon said. “When you’re running two against one, it’s tough.

“I’ve got an awful lot of newcomers that I don’t know.”

Koon said he was hampered a bit by the legislative session, which ended last week. With his. days free to campaign now, he said, he hoped to shore up support before the June 22 runoff.

But Haley’s showing — after entering as an unknown — demonstrates success raising funds, spreading her name and message and meeting voters one-on-one.

“I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Haley, 32. “I was the underdog in this, and I knew that.”

Haley credited the close finish to having a plan and getting an early head start on the campaign. Haley also raised more than $50,000 in contributions. Haley made a name for herself by bringing doughnuts and coffee to voters.

Many voters said her advertising convinced them to vote for her.

“She was the most recognizable,” said Lexington resident James Fanning.

The third candidate, insurance agent Perry, 42, was disappointed in his third-place finish. He expected it would be he and Koon in the runoff.

“I would have thought I had done better,” Perry said. “It was very educational ... I probably would look at doing it again.

The race has had a strange history after Koon was rumored to be retiring from the seat. Haley and Perry entered the race early last year, but Koon surprised some by filing for another term days before the deadline.

Koon said the state’s budget problems convinced him to seek another term.

Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8435 or johnoconnor@thestate.com