Editor’s Note: This story is a follow-up to a previous article with updated quotes and unofficial election results for local races.

By Nicole and Miles Layton

Voters across northeastern North Carolina elected sheriffs, county commissioners and school board members Tuesday, Nov. 3, returning some incumbents to office while choosing new leadership in several counties.

In the days following the election, candidates on both sides of the ballot thanked supporters, congratulated opponents and reflected on campaigns that brought questions about public safety, education and local government before voters.

Among the notable results, incumbent sheriffs Edward “Scooter” Basnight of Chowan County and Carl “Guire” Cahoon Jr. of Hyde County won reelection, while unaffiliated candidates Major Shively and Drew Robinson won sheriff’s races in Tyrrell and Martin counties.

Democrat Melinda Porter won Washington County’s at-large commissioner race, Republican Francisco Salmeron prevailed in Camden County’s three-way contest, and voters in Pasquotank and Tyrrell counties selected two commissioners apiece from multicandidate fields.

Voters also decided local ballot questions. Perquimans County approved two alcohol-related measures, while voters in Currituck and Dare counties rejected proposed local sales taxes.

All precincts had reported across the Albemarle Observer’s 13-county coverage area. The results remain unofficial pending canvassing by county election officials.

Chowan County

Republican Sheriff Edward “Scooter” Basnight won another four-year term, defeating Democrat Kristy L. LaLonde with 3,743 votes, or 63.61%, to LaLonde’s 2,141 votes, or 36.39%.

“I’m excited. I’m humbled and truly honored by the turnout today, and just thankful that I get to do this another four years,” Basnight said.

He said his attention would return to the responsibilities of the sheriff’s office.

“I get to focus on the task at hand, which is serving the county,” he said.

LaLonde congratulated Basnight and thanked residents who supported her campaign.

“Although the election results were not what we had hoped for, I am incredibly grateful for the 2,141 people who placed their trust and confidence in me,” she said.

“My mission was always bigger than winning an election,” LaLonde added. “The election may be over, but the mission is not.”

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

“I am honored and humbled to serve another four years,” McLaughlin said.

He pledged to continue working with the Board of Education, Sheriff’s Office, Town of Edenton and other community partners.

Miglorie congratulated McLaughlin and reflected on her experience as a candidate.

“Congratulations, Larry! This was a great experience and I am grateful I had the opportunity to meet so many awesome people and learn so much,” she said.

“Wishing all the commissioners wisdom as they grapple with the challenges ahead.”

Republican Lisa Perry and Democrat Ellis Lawrence were unopposed in their respective commissioner districts.

Three contested school board elections also drew voters’ attention.

George Lewis defeated Darin C. Miglorie for the at-large Board of Education seat, receiving 3,154 votes to Miglorie’s 1,498.

“I am incredibly honored by the trust our community has placed in me again,” Lewis said.

He said his priorities include supporting students, teachers and staff, encouraging parental involvement and considering the long-term needs of the school system.

In District 1, Florence B. Winslow defeated DeAnna Daniel, 1,126 votes to 456.

Daniel, a former Chowan Middle School teacher and coach, congratulated Winslow and thanked those who supported her campaign.

“A healthy democracy depends on people being willing to step forward, hear different points of view, and cast their votes,” Daniel said.

In District 2, incumbent Ricky Browder defeated Ollie Inglis, 1,300 votes to 695.

“I don’t think I could be any more proud to be a Chowan County resident as I am tonight,” Browder said.

Sherronne Battle was unopposed in the District 3 school board election.

Hyde County

Democratic Sheriff Carl “Guire” Cahoon Jr. won reelection, defeating unaffiliated challenger Odell Williams, 1,126 votes to 811.

Cahoon received 58.13% of the vote.

“I am truly humbled and grateful to have been reelected as your Sheriff of Hyde County,” Cahoon said in a statement following the election.

“Serving as your Sheriff has never been just a job to me. Hyde County is home. The people of this county are my neighbors, my friends, and my community.”

Cahoon said his responsibilities extend beyond enforcing the law to building relationships, listening to residents, helping people in need and treating everyone with dignity and respect.

He also thanked deputies and staff members of the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office, along with his family, fellow first responders and community partners.

“My commitment remains the same: to serve the citizens of Hyde County to the very best of my ability, to support our deputies, and to continue working toward keeping our communities safe,” Cahoon said.

In county commissioner elections, Republican Jan Moore was unopposed in Swan Quarter Township, receiving 1,273 votes.

The Currituck Township commissioner contest produced 555 miscellaneous write-in votes. The State Board’s published report did not identify individual write-in candidates.

In school board elections, Phillip “Andy” Holloway received 1,047 votes and Dustin Nails received 963 in the contest for two at-large seats. Rachael Chestnut was unopposed in the Ocracoke District.

Tyrrell County

Unaffiliated candidate Major Shively defeated Republican Joey Elliott in the sheriff’s race, receiving 854 votes, or 63.49%, to Elliott’s 491 votes, or 36.51%.

Shively thanked voters and supporters following the election.

“I am humbled and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as your next Sheriff,” he said, also expressing gratitude to those who encouraged and supported his campaign.

In the Board of Commissioners election, Republican Jordan R. Davis and Democrat Nina Basnight Griswell won the two available seats.

Davis received 766 votes, or 56.53%, while Griswell received 345 votes, or 25.46%. Democrat Mark Mixon finished third with 244 votes, or 18.01%.

Although voters could select only one candidate on their ballots, the two candidates receiving the most votes were elected to the board.

Democratic Clerk of Superior Court Angie Etheridge Sexton ran unopposed, receiving 1,118 votes.

Danielle Davis Carawan and Carl Jones won the two available seats on the Tyrrell Soil and Water Conservation District board.

Martin County

Unaffiliated candidate Drew Robinson won the Martin County sheriff’s election, defeating Democrat Marvin Hilliard.

Robinson received 5,564 votes, or 61.24%, compared with Hilliard’s 3,522 votes, or 38.76%.

Republican Joe R. Ayers won a three-way contest for the Western District seat on the Board of Commissioners.

Ayers received 4,464 votes, or 48.98%. Democrat Ronnie Smith received 3,542 votes, while unaffiliated candidate J.C. Edwards Jr. received 1,107.

Four candidates won uncontested Board of Education elections in their respective districts: Abby Mason in District 1, Pat C. Nelson in District 2, Gene Scott in District 4 and Doug Baker in District 6.

Washington County

Democrat Melinda Porter won the at-large seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners, defeating Republican Jonathan B. Sawyer IV.

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

“I am truly humbled and grateful for the confidence the citizens of Washington County have placed in me by electing me to serve as their County Commissioner At-Large,” Porter said.

Sawyer acknowledged the outcome and thanked residents who supported his campaign.

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

“I’m grateful to everyone who voted for me and to everyone who gave their time to this campaign, and to the people across this county who let me into their homes this year and told me honestly what they’re facing.”

Sawyer said he intended to remain involved in the community through the fire department, his church and the Chamber of Commerce.

“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,” he said.

“Washington County is home. That was true before this election and it’s true tonight.”

Democrats Julius Walker Jr. and Tracey A. Johnson were unopposed in commissioner Districts 2 and 3.

Three Democrats also won uncontested school board elections: Carlos Riddick for the at-large seat, Sherri Blount Gilliam in District 1 and Lois Clark in District 2.

Democratic Sheriff Arlo Norman and Clerk of Superior Court Brian Keith Phelps were unopposed.

Camden County

Republican Francisco Salmeron won the at-large seat on the Camden County Board of Commissioners in a three-way election.

Salmeron received 1,725 votes, or 42.29%, followed by unaffiliated candidate Matt Davis with 1,555 votes, or 38.12%, and unaffiliated candidate David Chick with 799 votes, or 19.59%.

Following the election, Chick thanked residents who supported his campaign and said he had no regrets about entering the race.

“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.

“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.”

Republican Troy Leary was unopposed for the Shiloh District commissioner seat.

In the Board of Education election, Chris Purcell, Leslie White and Eleanora Doane-Butts won the three available seats.

Purcell received 2,037 votes, White received 2,002 and Doane-Butts received 1,758. G. Wayne White received 1,640 votes and Magen O’Neal received 1,552.

Gates County

Two contested county commissioner races produced victories for Republican Jay Peay and unaffiliated candidate Joshua “Josh” Miller.

Peay defeated unaffiliated candidate Larry “Scooter” Williams in the Eure District, receiving 2,038 votes, or 53.03%, to Williams’ 1,805 votes, or 46.97%.

Miller defeated Democrat Brian Keith Rountree in the Gates District, receiving 2,116 votes, or 52.26%, to Rountree’s 1,933 votes, or 47.74%.

“I want to thank everyone that supported me during this election process and the real work has just begun,” Miller said. “Thank you all, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone.”

Unaffiliated candidate Emily Truman ran unopposed for the Gatesville District commissioner seat.

Republican Sheriff Ray Campbell and Democratic Clerk of Superior Court Monica Horton-Wiggins were also unopposed.

Bertie County

Bertie County voters returned three Democratic county commissioners to office in uncontested races and selected winners in three contested Board of Education elections.

Miles Davis, Corey Ballance Sr. and Ronald “Ron” Roberson won their respective commissioner districts without opposition.

Davis thanked residents for their support and encouraged cooperation among county residents.

“I want to thank the citizens of Bertie County for having placed their confidence in me,” Davis said.

“Now is the time for all of us to work together to make a better Bertie County.”

In the District 2 Board of Education race, Rickey Freeman defeated Latrica Hines-Miller, receiving 2,992 votes to Hines-Miller’s 2,713, a margin of 279 votes.

Christine Dudley defeated David C. Conner in District 3, receiving 3,540 votes to Conner’s 2,173.

In District 4, Vernetta Henderson defeated David Ray, 3,460 votes to 2,218.

Democratic Sheriff Tyrone M. Ruffin and Clerk of Superior Court Angela “Angie” Todd were unopposed.

Pasquotank County

Democrat Timothy C. Stallings Jr. and Republican Carl Witten won the two available at-large seats on the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners.

Stallings received 7,216 votes, or 34.22%, while Witten received 5,720 votes, or 27.13%.

Democrat Charles Jordan finished third with 4,305 votes, followed by unaffiliated candidate Ernest “Bootie” Cartwright Jr. with 3,844.

Republican Sean Lavin and Democrat Clifford Shaw were unopposed in the Northern Outside and Southern Inside commissioner districts, respectively.

In Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Board of Education elections, Angela Spear Cobb received 8,726 votes and Rodney Walton received 7,217 in the Inside District contest, which allowed voters to select two candidates. Miscellaneous write-ins totaled 1,191.

In the Outside District, Sharon J. Warden received 8,512 votes and Anthony “Tony” Sawyer received 8,013 in another two-seat contest. Miscellaneous write-ins totaled 409.

Katie Canning, an unaffiliated write-in candidate for the school board, said her campaign was motivated by concerns about school accountability, communication and services for students with disabilities.

“I didn’t run because I thought I had all the answers,” Canning said. “I ran because I had questions that I felt deserved answers, and because I’ve met too many parents and teachers who feel like they aren’t being heard.”

Canning said accountability should extend throughout the school system and pledged to remain involved regardless of the election outcome.

“Winning an election would give me a seat at the table, but losing one won’t take away my voice,” she said.

The State Board’s published results aggregate miscellaneous write-in votes and do not identify Canning’s individual vote total.

Currituck County

Republicans Matt Beickert and Steve Hedrick won contested county commissioner elections.

Beickert defeated Democrat Reggie Saunders in the at-large contest, receiving 8,680 votes, or 68.94%, to Saunders’ 3,911 votes, or 31.06%.

Hedrick defeated Democrat JeKeith Cowell Sr. in District 5, receiving 8,586 votes, or 68.63%, to Cowell’s 3,925 votes, or 31.37%.

Republican Mike Payment was unopposed in District 3.

In Board of Education elections, Melissa Harrison defeated Stephanie Forloines in Crawford Township, receiving 6,397 votes to Forloines’ 2,774.

Dana Parker defeated William “Bill” Dobney in Poplar Branch Township, 5,275 votes to 4,876, while Jason Banks ran unopposed for an at-large school board seat.

Currituck voters also decided three local ballot questions.

A proposal to change the method of electing the Board of Education passed, with 6,369 votes in favor and 5,291 against.

Voters approved a change to the county commissioners’ election structure, with 8,543 votes in favor and 3,149 against.

However, a proposed local sales and use tax was rejected, with 7,897 votes against and 4,174 in favor.

Dare County

Republican Ervin Bateman won the at-large seat on the Dare County Board of Commissioners, defeating Democrat Aida Havel.

Bateman received 10,676 votes, or 56.46%, compared with Havel’s 8,232 votes, or 43.54%.

Republican commissioners David Twiddy and Rob Ross were unopposed in Districts 1 and 2.

In the contested District 1 Board of Education race, Republican Stephen Nichols defeated Democrat Kelleta Govan, receiving 10,028 votes to Govan’s 8,735.

Republican Ron Payne ran unopposed in District 2, while Republican Rich Shope received 10,798 votes in District 3, where miscellaneous write-ins totaled 2,973.

Dare County voters rejected a proposed local sales and use tax, with 11,273 votes against, or 61.71%, and 6,994 votes in favor, or 38.29%.

Perquimans County

Republican Tim Corprew won a three-way contest for the Perquimans County Board of Commissioners.

Corprew received 2,326 votes, or 52.25%, defeating Republicans Wallace Nelson, who received 1,104 votes, and James Williams Ward, who received 1,022.

Voters also approved two alcohol-related ballot questions.

The county’s ABC store measure passed with 4,250 votes in favor and 1,200 against.

A separate mixed beverage measure passed with 4,091 votes in favor and 1,367 against.

Republican Sheriff Shelton “Shelby” White and Clerk of Superior Court Todd Tilley ran unopposed.

Hertford County

Hertford County voters selected three members of the Board of Education from a four-candidate field.

Casey B. Peele received 4,518 votes, followed by Shelia J. Porter with 3,861 and Brunet V. Parker with 3,007. All three won seats on the board.

LaGina Hanson finished fourth with 2,341 votes.

Democrats Leroy Douglas II and Andre M. Lassiter were unopposed in their county commissioner districts.

Democratic Sheriff Dexter A. Hayes and Clerk of Superior Court Shirley Gatling Johnson also ran without opposition.

Although all precincts have reported, the results remain unofficial until county boards of elections complete their canvasses.

Election officials must review eligible absentee and provisional ballots and reconcile election returns before certifying the results.

Additional ballots accepted during canvassing could change individual vote totals or margins.

The Albemarle Observer will continue reporting candidate reactions and significant changes to local election results as verified information becomes available.