Sheriff, former deputy easily win primary races

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Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker and former deputy Hakeem Brown easily won their primary races Tuesday, according to unofficial returns, and will square off in November’s election for the job of the county’s top law enforcement officer.

McVicker, who beat former Sheriff Prentis Bentson in 2014, defeated W.M. (Billy) Ward in the Republican primary. McVicker, a former state Highway patrolman, collected 2,090 votes to Ward’s 374.

Brown, who served as a deputy in McVicker’s department before being named License and Theft inspector for the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles in 2016, tallied 2,368 votes in the Democratic primary to defeat Gary S. Edwards, who had 622 votes.

Two other primary winners Tuesday will return to their seats. County commissioner Russell Priest defeated William Whitley 798-to-277 in the District 3 Democratic race. Incumbent Gary Rhoda beat Sabrina Murchison 850-to-579 in the Democratic primary for the Board of Education District 1.

A total of 5,858 ballots were cast among Bladen County’s 22,883 registered voters. That’s 25.6 percent of the eligible voters.

The Bladen County Board of Elections is expected to conduct its vote canvass May 18.

Final: Unofficial (17 of 17 precincts reporting)

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