WINDSOR – For the past 12 years, Jasper Bazemore has faithfully served the citizens of Bertie County as their District 5 Commissioner.

That service will continue.

In the tightest race in the Roanoke-Chowan area during Tuesday’s Democratic Primary, Bazemore edged past challenger Robert Brown in a political contest decided by less than 140 votes.

The unofficial results show Bazemore with 1,726 votes compared to 1,591 for Brown.

As reports came in on Tuesday night at the Bertie Board of Elections office, all eyes focused on this race as it was razor close throughout. The two candidates nearly split the county’s 12 precincts with Bazemore winning seven while Brown was the favorite in five.

In nine of the precincts, the margin between either candidate was 20 votes or less. Only one vote separated the two in Windsor II where Bazemore held a 101-100 edge. Bazemore won the Merry Hill precinct by three votes (86-83) and Colerain I by six ballots (87-81). Meanwhile, Brown edged his opponent by five votes (98-93) in the White’s precinct and held a slim 11-vote margin (75-64) in Mitchell’s I.

The widest margin by either of the candidates came in Windsor I where Bazemore won by 98 votes (406-308).

Brown’s largest swell of support was recorded in Indian Woods, a precinct he won by 36 votes (69-33).

Two other Bertie Board of Commissioners seats are up for election this year. Incumbents Rick Harrell (District 2) and Wallace Perry (District 3) are both seeking reelection, but neither faced opposition in Tuesday’s Primary. Both, along with Bazemore, will advance to November’s General Election where none face Republican foes.