Volston narrowly edged out former Gov. Scott Bannich. Less than 17,000 votes separated the two of them, out of almost 580,000 votes cast statewide.
Secretary of State Vickie Mayfield reported Volston earning 51.45% to 48.55% for Bannich.
While the former governor took the state's two-largest counties in population, Hinterwin and Fairfield, albeit by modest margins, Volston won the state's third and fourth-largest counties, Addieburg and Malden.
She also won a majority of the state's mid-sized counties by wider margins. The two split rural counties relatively evenly.
Around 9:00 pm on Saturday night, Bannich called Volston to concede. At his election night gathering at an Irish pub in east Fairfield, where he was born and raised, Bannich congratulated Volston on her historic win.
"Never before has South Ceona had a female gubernatorial nominee. Patty, tonight you made history. And I congratulate you on your win. And I look forward to seeing you make history this fall when you become our state's first female governor," said a proud Bannich.
While Bannich supporters were noticeably disappointed, many in attendance at the Bannich election night party were supportive of Volston and pledged to vote for her.
At her party over in High Point, an eastern suburb of Fairfield, Volston beamed as the cameras zoomed in on her for her victory speech.
While her supporters sipped wine and celebrated to live music on the terrace outside an upscale wine bar, Volston went around and shook hands.
In her speech, she thanked Bannich for his years of service to the state.
"Scott, thank you for all you've done for our state. And all you continue to do. I especially admire the free dental care you provide to people in need in east Fairfield. You truly are an icon in this state, and I think that's clear by just how close this race was," said Volston.
Turning to the general election, Volston reminded her supporters of the uphill battle against incumbent CNS Gov. Mike Lembcke.
"We had a close primary election. This was a tough one. It was close, our party was divided somewhat. But as we head into the fall election, we aren't divided anymore. We're all on the same team. And we all agree that Mike Lembcke is wrong for South Ceona. His policies are hurting South Ceona's families. And we have to win this December, we simply have to. For the sake of our children, our seniors, our economy, for the vulnerable...we have to win."
Lembcke's office released a Facebook statement Sunday evening congratulating Volston on winning the NAT nomination, although the written statement was also an insult.
"Congratulations to 'Wacky Patty Volston' for winning her party's nomination. I look forward to debating her lunatic left policies and showing the people of South Ceona what her socialist policies would do to our economy and our beloved state," wrote Lembcke.
While Volston was the more left-leaning candidate in the NAT primary, compared to other Nationalists from around the nation, Volston is more of a traditional Nationalist.
Conservatives, however, have already begun to tie Volston to Ansleigha Gov. Agatha Houndsler, who is an unabashed social democratic progressive.
"Patty Volston is South Ceona's Agatha Houndsler. The two look alike, they act alike, and they both support radical left policies," says the narrator in a CNS-sponsored ad on Fairfield's local television channel.
Volston has supported some left-wing policies, such as Universal Basic Income (UBI), increasing funding for homeless services, including providing free bus passes to homeless South Ceonans.
However, Volston does not support giving clean needles to drug addicts, despite a viral post on Facebook circulating among the state's Conservatives.
Bannich shared many policy positions with Volston. The former governor has worked closely with the homeless population in Fairfield, and has been a staunch advocate for the homeless and the needy. On economic issues and taxes, though, he is more moderate, favoring lower taxes and less spending.
Volston has advocated for a tax increase on wealthy South Ceonans, as well as budget increases for health care and education.
The two NAT candidates widely agreed on transit, environmental and social issues.
Volston is now focusing on the general election. She announced Sunday morning that she has chosen state Sen. Jaime Eskin (N-west Fairfield) as her running mate.
Eskin is openly gay, and would be a history-making lieutenant governor, if the pair were to win.
Polls have shown a close race between Volston and Lembcke, with voters split evenly between the two.
Most political prognosticators consider the South Ceona governor's race to be a toss-up.
***South Ceona Governor Primary Election -- NAT -- Unofficial Results***
| Bannich | Volston |
| 281,571 | 298,354 |
| 48.55% | 51.45% |
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