CLAYTON -- In the Republican primary for N.C. Senate District 12, David Rouzer routed Neena Reeves last Tuesday. But the candidates are not walking away from the race just yet.

Reeves is suing Rouzer for campaign mailings that she claims are defamatory. Named as co-defendants are the Friends of David Rouzer Committee; Rouzer’s company, Impact Strategies Inc.; and Robert J. Rosser, a registered agent of Impact Strategies.

When called for comment, Reeves responded with the following e-mail statement: “I will pursue the lawsuit I have already filed against Mr. Rouzer to hold him accountable for his actions. The truth will come out on many issues, and I can put all of this behind me.”

In the meantime, Reeves said she would focus on her family and pursue business ventures. “I have really enjoyed getting to meet so many people across Johnston and Wayne counties,” she wrote. “My family has been so supportive during this time. I’m looking forward to being a full-time wife and mother and taking care of my family.”

Rouzer said his attorney, a defamation specialist at Ward and Smith in Raleigh, would be handling the legal matter. In last Tuesday’s balloting, Rouzer raced by Reeves, 68 percent to 32 percent. “I expected it to be a 51-49, 52-48 race,” Rouzer said. “Just the nature of the campaign and the intensity ... . And when you’re outspent two-to-one, you generally don’t have much of a shot.”

The most-recent reports by the candidates showed that Reeves spent $186,305.99 through April 19, while Rouzer spent $82,147.35.

Rouzer said he spent election night at White Swan Bar-B-Que in Smithfield, waiting for returns with some of his supporters, including Sheriff Steve Bizzell, County Commissioners Cookie Pope and Wade Stewart and N.C. Rep. J.H. Langdon.

“I’ve been bombarded with calls all week long from friends all over the country,” he said.

The primary included lots of mudslinging, and Rouzer said he was eager to have a more-civil campaign against his Democratic challenger, Kay Carroll. “Kay Carroll is a friend, and he’s been a friend to my family,” Rouzer said. “I would expect see this campaign in the fall to be solely focused on the issues. I expect it to be a good, competitive campaign.”