District 56 State Senatorial candidates Brandon Beach and John Albers will face off in a runoff election Aug. 10.

With a total of 12,424 votes counted on primary election night, July 20, Beach led the pack with 38.6 percent of votes, while Albers took 32.8 percent of votes. Candidate David Belle Isle claimed 28.6 percent of votes.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” Albers said. “But we’re very excited to be there in the runoff. We’re working hard and anxious to win it all.”

Albers said he believes his message got through to residents.

“I think the results show that our message got across; no more politics as usual,” he said. “Not being a politician in the race made a difference. People want a government that’s run like a business.”

Albers said he will be campaigning “nonstop” until the runoff.

Beach said he was not surprised that a runoff will be necessary to choose the winner.

“Anytime you have three candidates that all work hard like all three of us, it’s tough to get that 50-plus percentage,” he said. “But we’re pleased to have come out on top.”

Beach also said he believes his platform made an impression on citizens.

“Our message of jobs, jobs, jobs resonated,” he said. “It’s the government’s role to create a conducive environment for jobs. We’re staying on message, and I feel good about that.”

The runoff will decide which of the two Republican candidates’ names will appear unopposed on the general election ballot in November.