Incumbents fall in Valley elections

HALIFAX — It was a rough night for incumbents as ballots in the 2009 municipal elections. In Roanoke Rapids, Emery Doughtie, Greg Lawson and Suetta Scarborough took seemingly easy 3-1 victories over a trio of incumbents — Mayor Drewery Beale and council members Jon Baker and Ed Deese.

In Weldon, Town Commissioner Julia Mecham defeated Johnny Draper, the longtime mayor.

Scotland Neck Mayor James Edward Mills Sr. lost his job to Raymond Watson.

In Roanoke Rapids, the unofficial totals released by the Halifax County Board of Elections show Doughtie with a 2,297-738 edge over Beale.

In the District 1 City Council contest, Scarbrough had a total of 953 votes compared to Deese’s 313.

In the District 2 race, Lawson won over Baker by a 1,165-449 margin.

Meacham totaled 237 votes to take a victory over Draper, who had 204 votes.

In Scotland Neck, Watson out polled Mills, 419-399.

In Scotland Neck, incumbent James Edward Mills Sr. trails Raymond Watson, 399-419.

In the Littleton race for mayor, two town council members are squared off. Betty Bobbitt Willis defeated MacRae 117-65.

In Enfield, Barbara Shaw Simmons won the mayor’s job over Bishop by a 424-146.