Carraway will fight for seat
By Gary Popp
Published in News on May 9, 2012 1:46 PM
The only district judicial judge election in the 8th Judicial District was one of the closest races for area voters Tuesday.
The nonpartisan race will send the top vote-getters, incumbent Judge Lonnie Carraway and assistant district attorney Ericka James, to the November general election.
The third candidate, Annette Turik, finished third and was eliminated.
Ms. James earned 34.3 percent of the total vote, with 11,945 votes. Carraway was close behind with 11,705 votes, or 33.61 percent. Ms. Turik received 11,172 votes for 32.08 percent.
The judgeship is one of six District Court seats in the district, which covers Wayne, Lenoir and Greene counties.
Carraway and Ms. James both said they are pleased with the results and expressed gratitude to those who supported them.
"I am elated. I am just ecstatic about it," Ms. James said. "I am just so thankful to everyone who supported me and everyone who worked on my campaign."
Ms. James said she spent the nail-biting evening with family and friends at Tranz community center in downtown Goldsboro. She said she will take a short vacation from the campaign, then regroup and move toward November.
"It's too early to give any definite (campaign) plans. We will simply do it all over again and hopefully be successful in November," she said.
Ms. James said she has only admiration for the other candidates.
"I think they ran superb campaigns, and we all respected one another, and I think that was great," she said. "I think highly of both of the candidates that ran in this race."
Carraway said he spent election night at home, as he always does when his name is on the ballot.
He said the early postings, which showed him running third in the contest, were a bit unnerving.
"Usually that first 5 percent gives you a good idea, and the rest of the race is consistent for the rest of the night," he said. "I thought I was done."
But as the election unfolded, his numbers improved.
"I appreciate all the support I have had and appreciate them for thinking of me and voting for me," Carraway said of his supporters.
Carraway said he is considering creating a committee to help as he gears up for the general election.
"I will try to start with that, and I get out and talk with folks," he said. "I should have done more of that (in the primary)."
Carraway said he was especially satisfied with the strong support he received in Greene County.
"It really made me feel good," he said. "It shows how many friends I have."