Miami-Dade's longtime clerk of courts easily defeated his lone Democratic challenger Tuesday night.

The primary is the first time Harvey Ruvin, 71, has faced opposition since he was elected to the post in 1992.

''I am deeply grateful for such an outpouring of support,'' Ruvin said. ``I look forward to campaigning for the next few months and returning to office for the next four years.''

Ruvin beat out David Nelson, 45, a library director at Kendale Elementary, who criticized Ruvin for not bringing public records online fast enough.

Traffic court records are already online and Ruvin has similar plans for family court later this year.

Ruvin, a veteran politician, spent two decades on the County Commission and four years as mayor of North Bay Village before that.

In November, Ruvin will face three challengers -- none of whom have any party affiliation.

Those candidates are Darrin E. McGillis, Alfredo ''Al'' Perez and Julio Valido.

The clerk's office takes in more than $1 billion a year and has seen a dramatic caseload increase at a time when the staff has been cut.

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