Both Republican and Democratic candidates for Beaufort County Sheriff will likely head to round two of the election process: a second primary on June 24.
By 9 p.m. Tuesday, the field of four Republican candidates and five Democratic candidates was whittled down to the top two vote getters in each party.
Ernie Coleman, Donald Dixon, Rick Guthrie and Harry Meredith made up choices for sheriff on the Republican primary ticket; while on the Democratic ticket, sheriff’s option included Todd Alligood, Gary Blount, Russell Davenport, Val Scales and Al J. Whitney.
But Coleman and Meredith, Davenport and Whitney, were separated from the field as Beaufort County precincts began to report. The end result was Coleman had 1,582 votes to Meredith’s 1,620; Whitney, 1,606 votes to Davenport’s 1,651.
Because no candidate reached a 40 percent majority of the vote, the top two vote getters in each party may go to a second primary if the second place winner requests one. At the Board of Elections, many were unsurprised the vote totals were so close — as were the candidates themselves.
“I expected this because I know that Russell Davenport has been around for a long time,” Whitney said Tuesday night at the elections office.
Whitney said he had hoped to avoid a second primary by taking home 41 percent of the vote. He credits a strong campaign and reaching out to many people across the county, especially at local churches, as the source of his support.
Davenport was also unsurprised by the close race.
“That’s what happens when you have so many candidates. I knew it would be close,” Davenport said. “We just have to keep momentum. I just want to continue to run a good, strong campaign.”
Davenport said he’ll be right back at work Wednesday — and right back to campaigning with the help of his supporters, to whom he credits the slim victory.
“I’d really like to stress — words cannot describe — the gratitude I have for everybody who supported me. I really thank them all,” Davenport said.
Both Whitney and Coleman must formally request a second primary through the Board of Elections.