ELKHART — Republican Tim Neese easily fought off a challenge from Democrat Dan Morrison, winning re-election to the District 48 seat in the Indiana House, according to unofficial vote totals.

With ballots from 40 of the 40 District 48 voting precincts counted, Neese garnered 15,213 votes today, Nov. 6, 65.2 percent of the total, compared to 8,127, or 34.8 percent, for Morrison. District 48 covers northwestern Elkhart County, including northern Elkhart. Provisional ballots still had to be counted.

“I was very pleased,” Neese said. “It was all about grassroots politics, going door to door.”

It’ll be the sixth term for Neese, who manages the Solid Waste Management District of Elkhart County.

In running, Neese cited his willingness to go against the GOP leadership in Indianapolis, if merited. He touted the need for continued efforts by state officials to recruit business and his support of right-to-work legislation, approved by state lawmakers earlier this year.

In his campaigning, Morrison, a consultant to Sears Roebuck, had spoken of the need for aggressive efforts to recruit businesses to the state and promote economic development. In the last days of the campaign, Morrison had sent out two mailers critical of Neese, which prompted a rebuke from the Republican.

Neese also faced a primary challenge last May, handily beating Jerry Brewton by a 60 percent to 37 percent margin.