WINDSOR – Based on the outcome of Tuesday’s Democratic Primary election, Bertie County citizens are pleased with the performance of incumbent Sheriff Greg Atkins.

Atkins will return for his third term in office after easily defeating two candidates on Tuesday. He faces no Republican opposition in the fall.

Sweeping nine of Bertie’s 12 precincts, Atkins was named on 2,659 ballots, or 69.9 percent of the total vote. That effort easily outdistanced challengers Eddie Graham Jr. (1,038 votes) and Daryl Brockington (106 votes).

Graham is a former Bertie Sheriff’s detective and currently employed as an officer with the Elizabeth City Police Department. Brockington, who resides in Aulander, works with the Robersonville Police Department.

“I am very grateful and humbled for the support and confidence placed in me by the voters of Bertie County,” Atkins said. “I thank all those who helped with my campaign and everyone who came out to vote. I promise to continue to work hard to be worthy of the confidence and trust they have placed in me.”

Atkins used a strong performance in the Windsor I and II precincts where he totaled 834 votes compared to 202 for Graham and 35 for Brockington.

The incumbent sheriff also rode a strong wave of support in Colerain I and II (409 total votes) as well as in the Merry Hill, Mitchell’s

I, Mitchell’s 2 and White’s precincts where his vote total came in at 617.

Graham was the candidate of choice in three precincts, including his home district of Woodville where he had a 166-92 edge over Atkins. The Indian Woods and Snakebite precincts also favored Graham.

The results of Tuesday’s Primary are unofficial until next week’s canvass by the Bertie Board of Elections.