Democratic challenger defeats one-term DA in a landslide victory
An overwhelming majority of voters in Edgecombe, Nash and Wilson counties cast ballots to replace first-term incumbent District Attorney Jeff Marsigli with Democratic challenger Rena Spellman. Four years ago, Marsigli, a Republican, defeated longtime incumbent Democrat Robert Evans by 79 votes in a hard-hitting contest, but unofficial results on Tuesday showed that this year’s contest between Marsigli and Spellman was a big win for the Democrat. Spellman in the three counties in the 8th District combined received 49,878 votes (slightly more than 57.2%) to Marsigli’s 37,271 (nearly 42.8%), according to unofficial vote tallies. That is a 12,607-vote difference. Spellman was victorious in all three counties, with her most narrow win coming in Nash County where she received 21,697 votes (slightly more than 53.5%) to Marsigli’s 18,824 votes (nearly 46.5%). In Wilson County, Spellman received 16,112 votes (nearly 56%) to Marsigli’s 12,689 votes (slightly more than 44%). And in long-historically pro-Democratic Edgecombe County, Spellman received 12,069 votes (67.7%) to Marsigli’s 5,758 votes (32.3%). All vote tallies are unofficial until canvassing. Neither Spellman nor Marsigli could be reached for comment. However, in phone interviews last month with both candidates, the topic of discussion centered around experience. Marsigli said that he likes Spellman,
Edgecombe County, NC · 3d
