A three-way race to replace Jeff Danker as Pottawattamie County sheriff ended with Andy Brown on top after Tuesday’s polling.

Pottawattamie County Republican voters selected Brown with about 44% of the vote over Rob Ambrose, who earned 33%, and Danielle Bentzinger, who finished with 22%.

No Democrat ran for the seat, which leaves Brown as the presumptive heir to Danker, who is stepping down after 28 years as sheriff. Iowa election rules would allow the Democratic Party to nominate a candidate at a convention for the general election.

Unofficial results from the Pottawattamie County Auditor’s Office on Wednesday morning showed Brown with 3,415 votes, Ambrose with 2,588 and Benzinger with 1,732.

Brown is a lieutenant in the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office in charge of the Court Security Division, while Ambrose is the chief deputy and Benzinger is also a sheriff’s deputy. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy Association endorsed Brown.

“I’m so blessed and grateful for all of the support I’ve received from so many wonderful people this election,” Brown posted on his campaign’s Facebook page.