By Miles and Nicole Layton

Voters across northeastern North Carolina elected sheriffs, county commissioners and school board members Tuesday, Nov. 3, with several contested local races drawing attention as election returns came in.

Among the results, Major Shively won the Tyrrell County sheriff’s race, Francisco Salmeron prevailed in a three-way contest for Camden County commissioner, and voters in Chowan County reelected Sheriff Edward “Scooter” Basnight.

Washington County voters elected Melinda Porter to an at-large seat on their county commission, while Gates County voters decided two contested commissioner races.

All precincts had reported in Washington, Tyrrell, Chowan, Camden and Gates counties by late Tuesday evening, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

The results remain unofficial pending canvassing. Additional counties and races will be added to the Observer’s site as results become available.

Washington County

Democrat Melinda Porter defeated Republican Jonathan B. Sawyer IV for an at-large seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

Porter received 2,809 votes, or 62.34%, compared with Sawyer’s 1,697 votes, or 37.66%.

Sawyer acknowledged the results Tuesday night and thanked those who supported his campaign.

“The voters of Washington County have made their decision and I respect it,” Sawyer said.

He also thanked residents who shared their concerns with him during the campaign.

“The challenges we discussed throughout this campaign have not gone away. I intend to stay engaged with them, as I was before I ever filed to run,” Sawyer said. “I’ll continue to serve this county through the fire department, my church, and the Chamber of Commerce.”

He concluded his statement by saying, “Washington County is home. That was true before this election and it’s true tonight.”

In other county commissioner races, Democrats Julius Walker Jr. and Tracey A. Johnson were elected without opposition in Districts 2 and 3, respectively.

Washington County voters also elected three unopposed Board of Education candidates: Carlos Riddick in the at-large race, Sherri Blount Gilliam in District 1 and Lois Clark in District 2.

Democrat Arlo Norman was elected sheriff without opposition, while Democrat Brian Keith Phelps was elected clerk of Superior Court.

Washington County reported 4,564 ballots cast among 8,228 registered voters, representing 55.47% turnout.

Tyrrell County

Unaffiliated candidate Major Shively defeated Republican Joey Elliott in the Tyrrell County sheriff’s race.

Shively received 854 votes, or 63.49%, compared with Elliott’s 491 votes, or 36.51%.

In the three-candidate race for Tyrrell County commissioner, Republican Jordan R. Davis won with 766 votes, or 56.53%.

Democrat Nina Basnight Griswell finished second with 345 votes, or 25.46%, followed by Democrat Mark Mixon with 244 votes, or 18.01%.

Democrat Angie Etheridge Sexton was elected clerk of Superior Court without opposition.

Danielle Davis Carawan and Carl Jones were elected to the Tyrrell Soil and Water Conservation District board.

Tyrrell County reported 1,385 ballots cast among 2,367 registered voters, representing 58.51% turnout.

Chowan County

Chowan County voters reelected Sheriff Edward “Scooter” Basnight, who defeated challenger Kristy LaLonde.

Basnight received 3,743 votes, compared with LaLonde’s 2,141.

In the District 2 county commissioner race, Larry McLaughlin defeated Kathleen Miglorie, 1,512 votes to 826.

Several contested races also determined seats on the Edenton-Chowan Board of Education.

In the at-large contest, George Lewis defeated Darin Miglorie, 3,154 votes to 1,498.

Florence Winslow won the District 1 school board race, receiving 1,126 votes compared with 456 for DeAnna Daniel.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support. I certainly hope to serve the students in Edenton-Chowan Schools to the best of my ability,” Winslow said. “I will work diligently to understand the needs of our students and teachers, and I will offer my support to help our schools succeed in today’s world.”

Daniel, a former teacher and coach at Chowan Middle School, congratulated Winslow following Tuesday’s election.

“Congratulations to Florence Winslow on her election to the District 1 seat on the Board of Education,” Daniel said.

Daniel thanked voters and supporters, saying her campaign provided another opportunity to listen to residents about education.

“As a former teacher and coach at Chowan Middle School, I care deeply about our students and the people who show up for them every day. Running for the school board gave me another way to listen and be part of those conversations,” she said.

Daniel said she intends to remain involved in supporting local schools.

“A healthy democracy depends on people being willing to step forward, hear different points of view, and cast their votes,” she said. “I’m proud to have been part of that process here in Chowan County, and I’ll continue to support our students, educators, and families.”

Incumbent Ricky Browder won reelection in District 2, defeating Ollie Inglis, 1,300 votes to 695.

Browder thanked voters in a statement following the election.

“I don’t think I could be any more proud to be a Chowan County resident as I am tonight. Today friends and families came together and united behind an effort to make sure the way of life in this county was preserved. People worked together at the polls to help each other whether it was who they were there for or someone who shared the same value’s. It would be impossible for me to name all the people who pitched in to help me and my campaign for re-election to the Board of Education,” Browder said. “You know who you are and your efforts do not go unnoticed. Thank you seems so insufficient but I do offer a sincere THANK YOU for making this a great day for Chowan County across all spectrums of local leadership!”

Chowan County reported 5,983 ballots cast, representing 57.82% turnout.

Camden County

Republican Francisco Salmeron won a three-candidate race for an at-large seat on the Camden County Board of Commissioners.

Salmeron received 1,725 votes, or 42.29%, compared with 1,555 votes, or 38.12%, for unaffiliated candidate Matt Davis.

Another unaffiliated candidate, David Chick, finished third with 799 votes, or 19.59%.

Chick issued a statement Tuesday night thanking his supporters and congratulating the winning candidates.

“While tonight’s results may not be what I had hoped for, I have absolutely no regrets about stepping up and putting my name on the ballot,” Chick said.

He said the campaign gave him opportunities to meet residents, listen to concerns and discuss ideas for Camden County’s future.

“I may not have won an election, but I don’t believe that means the conversations, concerns, and ideas we’ve shared along the way should stop,” Chick said.

Chick also expressed hope that residents would continue working together toward “keeping Camden – Camden.”

In the Camden County Board of Education election, voters selected three members from a field of five candidates.

Chris Purcell received 2,037 votes, Leslie White received 2,002 and Eleanora Doane-Butts received 1,758, winning the three available seats.

G. Wayne White received 1,640 votes, while Magen O’Neal received 1,552.

Republican Troy Leary was elected without opposition to the Shiloh District seat on the Board of Commissioners.

Republican J. Kevin Jones was unopposed for sheriff, while Republican Jennifer Gray was unopposed for clerk of Superior Court.

Camden County reported 4,563 ballots cast among 8,753 registered voters, representing 52.13% turnout.

Gates County

Gates County voters elected Jay Peay and Joshua “Josh” Miller in two contested Board of Commissioners races Tuesday.

In the Eure District contest, Republican Jay Peay defeated unaffiliated candidate Larry “Scooter” Williams.

Peay received 2,038 votes, or 53.03%, compared with Williams’ 1,805 votes, or 46.97%.

In the Gates District race, unaffiliated candidate Joshua “Josh” Miller defeated Democrat Brian Keith Rountree.

Miller received 2,116 votes, or 52.26%, compared with Rountree’s 1,933 votes, or 47.74%.

Unaffiliated candidate Emily Truman was elected without opposition to the Gatesville District seat, receiving 2,890 votes.

Republican Ray Campbell was elected sheriff without opposition, receiving 3,064 votes, while Democrat Monica Horton-Wiggins was unopposed for clerk of Superior Court, receiving 3,167 votes.

Robert “Ed” Miller and Richard “Rick” Morgan were elected Gates Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors, receiving 2,562 and 2,387 votes, respectively.

Gates County reported 4,212 ballots cast among 8,310 registered voters, representing 50.69% turnout.

Voter turnout across the region

Turnout in the five counties ranged from 50.69% in Gates County to 58.51% in Tyrrell County.

County	Ballots cast	Turnout
Tyrrell	1,385	58.51%
Chowan	5,983	57.82%
Washington	4,564	55.47%
Camden	4,563	52.13%
Gates	4,212	50.69%

The five counties reported a combined 20,707 ballots cast.

The Albemarle Observer will continue updating its election coverage as results become available from additional northeastern North Carolina counties.

The newspaper will also provide further coverage of state legislative, congressional and statewide contests, along with additional candidate reactions.

All results are unofficial until certified through the canvassing process.