Two-term Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court Marty Paramore won a third term by a substantial margin Tuesday night.

Paramore, a Democrat, won by a 5,000-vote margin in a three-way race against Republican Jimbo Shiver and unaffiliated candidate Eva Buck. Buck, because of her unaffiliated status, was required to collect signatures from 4 percent of the county’s registered voters to be put on the ballot, a number she exceeded.

Paramore’s final vote count Tuesday was 9,174 votes, compared to Buck’s 4,178 votes and Shiver’s 4,118.

“It was great the first time, but it’s even better being re-elected because it shows that people approve of the job — not just myself — but my staff is doing,” Paramore said. “It’s a reflection of the quality of work the staff does each and every day.”

Paramore first ran for the office when longtime Clerk of Court Thomas Payne retired. The first election, five other candidates also ran. In 2010, Paramore ran unopposed.

With the exception of Hunter’s Bridge and North Creek precincts, in which Jimbo Shiver had the most votes, Paramore carried the rest of Beaufort County’s precincts. The amount of support Paramore received countywide tells him that voters recognize the Clerk of Court office has little to do with party politics, he said.

“In my opinion, (the office) shouldn’t be partisan in the first place,” Paramore said. “It’s about doing a job and doing it properly, as dictated by the general statutes.”

Paramore said he’s proud of his campaign and grateful to all those who helped him along the way.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support I’ve received and I look forward to seeing the citizens of Beaufort County for many more years,” Paramore said.