Stephen Williams, a rural Brownsdale farmer, finished third among seven Independence Party hopefuls in Tuesday’s 2008 State Primary Election.

U.S. Senate candidate Williams received 802 votes or 7.07 percent of the total Tuesday.

He was the endorsed IP candidate in the race.

Dean Barkley was the front-runner with 6,633 votes or 58.52 percent of the total.

Jack Uldrich finished second with 1,408 votes or 12.42 percent of the total.

Barkley will now face incumbent U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, a Republican, and DFL Party challenger Al Franken in the 2008 State General Election Nov. 4.