ELIZABETHTOWN, NC — Bladen County voters delivered a historic shift in local law enforcement leadership during Tuesday’s general election, electing unaffiliated challenger Ray Marlowe over three-term Republican incumbent Sheriff Jim McVicker.
More than 12,000 voters turned out across the county, casting ballots that also decided contested seats on the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education, while soundly rejecting a local sales tax proposition.
Unaffiliated Challenger Claims Sheriff’s Seat
In the headlining contest, Ray Marlowe secured victory in a three-way race for Bladen County Sheriff. Unofficial returns with all 17 precincts reporting show Marlowe leading the field with 5,709 votes (47.62%). Incumbent Jim McVicker (R), who has held the office since 2014, finished second with 4,241 votes (35.38%), while Democratic nominee Chris Hunt finished third with 2,038 votes (17.00%).
Marlowe, a Bladen County native who spent 11 years as a deputy and criminal investigator within the agency, ran an independent campaign focused on modernizing operations and strengthening community trust. McVicker’s 12-year tenure had previously survived several contested challenges since taking office in 2014.
Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Quarter-Cent Sales Tax
Bladen County voters soundly defeated a local sales tax referendum by a nearly 70% to 30% margin. The measure failed 8,064 to 3,424.
County officials had proposed the quarter-cent local sales and use tax increase to generate revenue for capital projects, including a planned multipurpose complex intended to host regional sports tournaments, community events, and meetings. The defeat marks the latest in a series of similar tax proposals turned down by county residents.
Bladen County Board of Commissioners
Only one of the three Board of Commissioners seats on the ballot was contested:
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District 1: Democratic incumbent Arthur A. Bullock retained his seat by defeating unaffiliated challenger Levi Roberts, 2,245 to 1,349. Bullock emphasized his ongoing commitment to public service and economic development across District 1.
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District 2: Incumbent Republican Charles Ray Peterson ran unopposed and was re-elected.
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District 3: Incumbent Republican Cameron McGill ran unopposed and was re-elected.
Bladen County Board of Education
Voters filled four seats on the school board, resulting in a mix of victories for incumbents and newcomers:
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At-Large Seat: Democrat Kimbrie Esters led the six-candidate field with 2,566 votes to claim the countywide seat. Republican Roger A. Carroll placed second with 2,252 votes, followed by Harfel Davis (D) with 2,054, Matthew Long (R) with 2,001, Dennis R. Edwards (R) with 1,684, and Gloria B. McLean (D) with 878.
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District 3: Incumbent Republican Aaron Russ successfully defended his seat, defeating Democratic challenger Jerome L. Purdie 2,427 to 1,507 (61.7% to 38.3%).
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District 1: Democrat Theresa Jacobs ran unopposed to win the seat. Jacobs previously defeated incumbent Gary Rhoda in the March primary.
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District 2: Republican Walter Hester ran unopposed to win the seat after defeating incumbent board chairman Mackie Singletary in the March primary.
Unopposed County Administrative & Judicial Offices
Several countywide constitutional and judicial positions were decided without general election opposition:
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Clerk of Superior Court: Republican Cristin Hursey (Unopposed)
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Register of Deeds: Republican Wendy A. Martin (Unopposed)
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District Attorney (District 15): Republican J.K. Somers (Unopposed)
In the nonpartisan election for two seats on the Bladen County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, voters selected Charles Wendell Gillespie (6,109 votes) and Albert R. Shaw (4,129 votes). Paul Skinner finished third with 4,077 votes.
Statewide & Federal Race Results in Bladen County
Local turnout leaned heavily Republican in federal and state contests on the local ballot:
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U.S. House District 7: Incumbent Republican David Rouzer carried Bladen County over Democrat Kimberly Hardy by a 6,656 to 5,246 margin. Rouzer won re-election districtwide.
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U.S. Senate: Republican Michael Whatley carried Bladen County over Democrat Roy Cooper, 6,084 to 5,568.
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Constitutional Amendments: Bladen voters overwhelmingly approved all three statewide constitutional amendments: capping the state income tax at 3.5% (9,413 to 2,256), limiting property tax levies (8,895 to 2,691), and mandating photo ID for voting (7,906 to 3,419).
Next Steps in Canvass Process
The Bladen County Board of Elections will meet to review provisional ballots before convening for the official county election canvass on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Election results remain unofficial until certified during the canvass. Newly elected county officials are scheduled to take their oaths of office in December.
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