WINTON – The commissioner will represent the Winton district, but was elected in Murfreesboro.

Political novice Bill Mitchell is leading incumbent Hertford County Commissioner John E. Pierce by 80 (2,557-2,477) votes after unofficial results have been released from Tuesday’s Democratic Primary. Provisional ballots have not been counted.

While Mitchell would represent the Winton area if the results stand, he can thank Murfreesboro for his election to the seat.

The newcomer won just five of the county’s 13 precincts and only one of the one-stop voting locations, but captured both precincts in Murfreesboro on Election Day and the one-stop voting location there by handy majorities.

Mitchell claimed victory in Murfreesboro I by a 366-178 margin and won Murfreesboro II 183-125. He also claimed victory at the one-stop voting area in Murfreesboro, being named on 245 of the 377 ballots cast for commissioner.

The prospective new commissioner also won easily in the Bryantville district, claiming a 117-48 margin. Mitchell’s other two wins came in Como (65-40) and Winton (161-151).

Pierce, who was originally elected to the commissioner post in 2004, won the other eight precincts and two of the three one-stop voting locations.

Pierce’s biggest victories came in Cofield (133-57) and Ahoskie II where he carried 233 of the 404 votes cast. He also claimed victory in Ahoskie I (269-225), Ahoskie III (200-173), Harrellsville (142-86), Millennium (64-59), St. John (137-96) and Union (94-90).

Pierce also had the most votes in the one-stop voting location in Winton (223-221) and Ahoskie (276-212) and in the absentee mail balloting (32-30).

While still waiting for provisional votes to be counted, Mitchell said he was looking forward to the opportunity to serve the citizens of Hertford County.

“I’m waiting for the provisional votes to be counted,” Mitchell said. “I am waiting patiently to get the final number.

“For those who have chosen to congratulate (me), I appreciate their support,” he continued. “I feel like people have spoken and they want change. I’m going to be a commissioner that is accessible, approachable and believable. That’s what I’m going to be about.”

If Mitchell’s election is upheld after provisional ballots are cast and the official canvas next Tuesday, he would advance to the November general election where he faces no Republican opposition.