ROCKINGHAM — Mark Gulledge will remain sheriff of Richmond County.
Gulledge handily defeated challenger Nigel Bristow in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, according to preliminary results from the Richmond County Board of Elections.
Early voting and absentee ballot results were promising, showing the incumbent leading by nearly 75%.
After all 16 precincts had reported, Gulledge won with nearly 78% of the vote by a margin of 2,846 to 808.
Gulledge was approved as sheriff by the Richmond County Board of Commissioners in August of 2021 following the unexpected death of former Sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr.
He was hired by then-Sheriff Dale Furr in 1999 and worked in the detention division before becoming a road deputy, where he was assigned to Clemmons’ shift. He later served as Clemmons’ chief deputy for a decade.
Although there is no Republican running for sheriff, Gulledge will still be on the ballot in November, according to Elections Director Connie Kelly.
The sheriff could not be reached for comment at the time of this writing.
All election results are unofficial until canvassing on May 27.
