Joe Langley, a computer software salesman from Angier, defeated James W. Clark, 74, in the Democratic primary, according to preliminary results.

Langley had campaigned on fracking, saying at one point that he didn’t think there was enough natural gas in the state to justify drilling.

He will face Republican Ronald Rabin of Spring Lake, who has served one term in the state Senate.

The 12th District covers all of Harnett and Lee counties and smidgen of Johnston County.