Addie Eckardt’s expected victory over challenger Chris Robinson on Tuesday means the 2015 Legislative Session will begin with a new senator representing District 37.

Eckardt, a seasoned politician and Republican, was well ahead with 67 percent of the vote, with 65 of 83 precints reporting early Wednesday.

She garnered 60 percent in Wicomico County.

Eckardt will assume the position long held by Sen. Rich Colburn, who Eckardt unseated in the primary in June. She entered the race after problems in Colburn’s marriage publicly surfaced in a divorce filing.

Eckardt and Robinson competed to represent the district that includes Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot counties, along with a portion of western Wicomico County.

In the primary, Eckardt surprised many by unseating Colburn. His loss was an upset forecast by some, but still a shock to others. She received 56.9 percent of the vote to Colburn’s 43 percent.

Her legislative legacy began in 1995, the year Colburn joined the State Senate.

Previously, Eckardt represented District 37B in the House of Delegates.