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| Photo Jay Diem/Daily Times |
Written by
Carol Vaughn
Staff Writer
ACCOMAC -- Todd E. Godwin won his first election for Sheriff of Accomack County on Tuesday after being appointed this summer to fill former Sheriff Larry Giddens' term when he retired. He will serve a four-year term.
Godwin won in a three-way race with 5,305 votes, more than 60 percent of votes cast, compared to Walter E. Marks with 2,508 votes, or 28 percent, with David A. Rogers Sr. trailing at 942 votes, around 11 percent.
A large crowd at an election night event held at a home near Onancock included nearly all the sheriff's office employees who were not on duty, along with family, friends and a number of county department heads.
The gathering erupted into a roar of approval when a radio announcer declared Godwin the winner shortly after 9 p.m. and said he had won all towns in the county.
Musician and chef Johnny Morrison took over from the radio the task of announcing the final deciding precincts -- Onley, which went 196 to 173 to 48 for Godwin, and Painter, where Godwin received 523 votes to Marks' 210 and Rogers' 301.
"Accomack County, Todd Godwin will be your new sheriff," Morrison said, calling Godwin to the microphone.
Godwin in turn called to his side his wife, Sheila, saying the couple was celebrating their wedding anniversary on Election Day.
"I can't think of a better gift to have all my close friends here with us," he said.
He thanked his family for their support and also singled out Jeanette Edwards and John Custis for their help with the campaign.
Godwin went on to thank "our people at the Sheriff's Office."
"We have got the greatest bunch of guys any Sheriff's Office can have," he said.
He said the election results confirmed county residents' good opinion of the sheriff's office.
"It shows that the citizens of Accomack County are confident in our Sheriff's Office," he said.
The crowd -- who had passed the time waiting for votes to be tallied visiting and munching on Eastern Shore standards like ham biscuits, deviled eggs and fried chicken wings -- readily rose to Morrison's request they give "three cheers for Sheriff Godwin."
The incumbent also held on in the contested Accomack County treasurer's race. Dana Bundick will continue as treasurer after winning over challenger Greg Duncan 4,620 to 4,104. She has been treasurer in the county for 16 years.
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