Through no fault of their own, two incumbent District Attorneys were forced to meet face-to-face during Tuesday’s Primary Election.

In a highly competitive race for the District Attorney’s seat in the newly combined Judicial District 6, Valerie Asbell (11,213 unofficial votes; 53.76%)) defeated Melissa Pelfrey (9,644; 46.24%). Asbell is the current DA of District 6B (Bertie, Hertford and Northampton), while Pelfrey serves District 6A (Halifax) as DA. Those two Districts will merge effective Jan. 1, 2015 and there is no Republican opposition for the seat this fall.

Those vote totals are unofficial until each county Board of Elections conducts a canvass of all polling places next week.

“I am honored and humbled to be elected as the District Attorney for the newly consolidated District 6,” said Asbell. “First of all, I want to thank God who has graced and blessed my life with opportunities beyond measure. I want to thank my family who were so patient and supportive during this time. While I am the person who was elected, the success of our office really belongs to the many dedicated, skilled and fearless professionals of my staff with whom I work on a daily basis.”

Asbell went on to thank her supporters and those that took the time on Tuesday, and during the One-Stop process leading up to May 6, for, “getting out to vote and making our fine democratic system work.”

Voter turnout was higher in the four counties of the newly combined Judicial District than the state average – 32.54 percent in Northampton; 29.74 percent in Halifax; 26.15 percent in Bertie; and 22.04 percent in Hertford.

The two incumbent DA’s fared extremely well within their respective Districts.

Asbell won easily in HertfordCounty (2,608-to-425) and Bertie County (2,687-to-667). The vote was a bit closer in Northampton where Asbell won by a 2,772-to-1,744 margin.

Pelfrey made up ground in her home county of Halifax where she more than doubled Asbell’s effort. Pelfrey was named on 6,808 ballots in Halifax compared to 3,146 for Asbell.

“There were many people who helped me tremendously during the past nine months and I could not begin to list them all; however; I want to especially thank my staff, the campaign committee members, all of the people who went door to door, all of the poll workers, and people who contributed financially to this election,” Asbell said. “Without the tireless efforts of these people, we would not have been able to win this election.”

Asbell added that she was thankful and appreciative of the confidence of the voters in all four counties.

“I promise to bring the same passion and integrity to Halifax County that I have dedicated to 6B for the past 21 years,” she stated. “I have always had and will continue to have an open door policy that will never change as I serve the people of all four counties.  I promise to work hard and make this judicial district strong and efficient.”

Asbell said one of her two offices will be in the Halifax County Courthouse (the other will be in the new Hertford County Courthouse upon completion of that facility).

“In the last six months I have met a lot of people in Halifax who welcomed me into their county and I really look forward to continuing to build relationships with them. I am excited for the opportunity to continue to serve Bertie, Hertford and Northampton counties and I and very excited to now serve Halifax County as your District Attorney,” she concluded.