Democrat Eleanor Bradshaw (right), along with Judge Carol Jones, gives a big thumbs up to Bradshaw winning a very close race against Republican opponent Sharon Carter by on 649 votes after the preliminary totals Tuesday night in the Sampson County Register of Deeds race. (Billy Todd/Sampson Independent)

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It was a close race, but incumbent Sampson Register of Deeds pulled out the win, defeating Republican challenger Sharon Carter by only 649 votes, based on unofficial vote totals from the Sampson County Board of Elections.

This will be Bradshaw’s second term as Sampson County Register of Deeds.

The Sampson County Board of Election unofficial results showed Bradshaw receiving 13,170 votes to Carter’s 12,521 votes for the 649 vote difference and a margin of 51.26 percent to 48.74 percent in the balloting. The vote will not be official until the canvass is held.

Carter won in 15 precincts while Bradshaw only garnered 13 in the unofficial count. Bradshaw received the most votes in Clinton-Central; Clinton-East; Clinton-Southwest; Garland; Giddensville; Harrells; Keener; Lakewood; Newton Grove; Turkey; One Stop 1; One Stop 3; and One Stop 4. Carter won the precincts of Autryville; Clement; Clinton-Northeast; Clinton-West; Herring; Ingold; Kitty Fork; Mingo; Plainview; Roseboro; Rowan; Salemburg; Westbrook; One Stop 2; and the absentee vote.

The voting in each precinct was not close in most cases. The race could only be called close in seven of the 23 precincts reporting. Of the precincts won by either candidate the margin of win was mostly a large number although the results in one precinct, Newton Grove, was only by one vote.

The unofficial results closely mirrored votes cast, particularly in straight party tickets, where 9,382 Democrats voted to 8,318 Republicans.

“It is with a grateful heart that I accept the vote of the citizens of Sampson County for the opportunity to serve them with compassion and integrity another four years. I would like to express my thanks to all who voted for me and for their support. I would also like to say thank you to my husband for his dedication and hard work over the past three months. And to all my many friends who also worked so hard for my reelection. I also want to thank my wonderful staff, who always take pride in their work whether I am in the office or out. We look forward to serving the citizens of this county with the compassion and professionalism that our office has and will continue to portray over the next four years. Thank you and God bless,” remarked Bradshaw.

Attempts to reach Carter were unsuccessful by deadline.