Longtime state Sen. Scottie Cuevas, D-Pass Christian, has lost his bid for re-election to lawyer David Baria, certified results from Tuesday’s election in Hancock County show.

Baria avoided a runoff with 51.56 percent of the final vote; Cuevas received 48.41 percent, according to Thursday’s official returns.

Baria will face Ken Overstreet, of the Constitutional Party, in the November general election.

“It has been a long campaign,” Baria said after the final vote was announced. “I’m grateful to the people and will serve them as best I can.”

Cuevas had served in the Senate since 1996 from District 46, which included Hancock County and part of Harrison County.