Election results: Dare County sheriff ousted

Dare County voters on Tuesday ousted their two-term Democratic sheriff and re-elected a Republican to the county's Board of Commissioners.

With more than 55 percent of the vote, John "Doug" Doughtie will take over as sheriff.

Rodney Midgett, 60, had served as sheriff since 2002. Midgett said he was disappointed but proud of what he and his staff have accomplished in the past eight years. He wished Doughtie well.

"I hope he does what he says he can do," Midgett said.

A part-time police officer in Duck with 30 years of law-enforcement experience, Doughtie, 53, said he was humbled by the support and was looking forward to working on his top priority of improving community policing.

"I can't wait to get the opportunity to do that," he said late Tuesday.

In the contested race for an at large seat on the Dare County Board of Commissioners, Republican incumbent Jack Shea secured more than 52 percent of the vote to beat Democratic challenger Robin Mann.

Before the election, both candidates had named job creation as their top priority.

Shea, of Southern Shores, said he was "very grateful to the electorate for their confidence in me." As he said in the campaign, Shea reiterated that he would work to bring full-time jobs to the area.

Mann, of Manns Harbor, said she was disappointed but wished Shea the best.

"I'll still be here working for the people of Dare County in other ways," she said.

Commissioners Virginia Tillett and Max Dutton won re-election. Both were unopposed.

Erin James, (252) 441-1711, erin.james@pilotonline.com