Mayor Emery Doughtie was elected to his fifth term Tuesday night, according to unofficial returns from the Halifax County Board of Elections.

The canvass will be held on November 14 at 11 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse located on King Street in Halifax.

The incumbent mayor, who was first elected in 2009, collected 57.50 percent of the votes — 855 total — beating challenger Ephraim Brodsky, who got 33.22 percent of the votes — 494 total votes — and Gerald McDaniel, who collected 9.01 percent of the votes — 134 total votes. Four write-ins were cast in that race.

“I was very well pleased,” Doughtie said today. “I very much appreciate the support that the community gave me.”

The mayor said he still has things he would like to work on over the next four years. “This election gives me that opportunity to continue to work on those things.”

Those tasks include continuing to finish paying off the theater debt.

Then there is infrastructure. He said people who have been away from the city and come back have commented to him about the conditions. “We’re working on it, and I give public works and the city credit for that, but we still have a good way to go on streets, parks, and even something as simple as a back alley. Those things, to me, are basic items that we need to look into repairing.”

Adequately staffing the police department is another concern, he said. “It’s so stressed with them taking care of things that demand their immediate attention that they would have more opportunities to investigate and spend time on things that would make our community safer if they had more manpower, more positions.”

Asked what factors put him on top in the race, Doughtie related a recent conversation he had at a restaurant in which the person said, “‘What I like about you is you can have a conversation with anybody. It doesn’t matter if you know who they are, what they do, or where they come from, and you always listen.’”

Doughtie said he would consider running for a sixth term but would also be open to stepping aside should a qualified candidate express an interest in the position. “I would certainly be open to (running again). I feel like I could win again. I would certainly be open to stepping aside and letting someone else move in.”

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, Brodsky said, “Thank you to all 1,487 people who voted in this election. I did not enter this race expecting to win. I entered this race because I am tired of politicians lying to us, running unopposed, mismanaging our budget, using inside information to profit off of sweetheart real estate deals, and spending taxpayer dollars renaming historic buildings after their friends without public input.”

He said, “I tell my children all the time that change does not happen overnight; it starts with a seed. 494 of you voted to plant that seed and let it grow.”

Doughtie, Brodsky said in the post, “Has four years to show the people of Roanoke Rapids where two decades of his leadership has gotten us. I wish him the best, because my family lives here and we want our city to succeed. I'll see y'all at the next budget meeting.”

Roanoke Rapids City Council District 2

Incumbent Andy Jackson defeated former Councilman Wayne Smith, collecting 67.23 percent of votes.

Jackson earned 517 votes to Smith’s 248. There were four write-ins cast.

“It was overwhelming,” Jackson said of the voter support he received. “Wayne Smith called me last night and congratulated me.”

Jackson said he wants to see Emry Park Skatepark “up and rolling. It’s in the heart of the city; it’s got a great nature trail. I used it when I was getting ready for police academy.”

Jackson said the city has to continue addressing crime. “We need to recruit police officers, but we’ve got quite a few openings. We need to get those positions filled.”

He said he looks forward to working with Doughtie and city staff on projects. “We’ve got some great department heads. It’s just a matter of pulling them all together.”

Jackson, who was initially appointed to the council seat, said it felt good to win an election. “I’m hoping I can pay the citizens back through a good job.”

Smith, who had been on the council for about 10 years before stepping down due to health concerns, said he doesn’t plan to run again. “This is it for me. It’s my last hurrah.”

During his 10 years, Smith said, “I think the mayor and I did a whole lot by talking to the legislature. We brought a lot of money into town. I helped get that fire truck that we didn’t have to pay for.”

Smith said he will continue coming to council meetings. “I’d really like to see them really discuss things and let the people know what they’re doing. You know as well as I do there’s not enough conversation going on amongst them. I would like to see them really buckle down on some stuff.”

Roanoke Rapids City Council District 1

Incumbent Curt Strickland ran unopposed and was re-elected, collecting 507 votes.

Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Education

A challenger and two incumbents won in the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Education, while another incumbent and challenger lost.

Challenger Jim Whitmire received the most votes in that race, collecting 841 — 22.09 percent. Incumbent Jeffrey Kloss and Cathy Hux Keeter were also re-elected. Kloss collected 804 votes while Keeter received 736.

Finishing just below the top three were incumbent Steven L. Ellis and challenger Carlton Ansley. Ellis received 712 votes and Ansley received 706. There were nine write-ins cast.

The winning school board members did not immediately respond to an email seeking comments.

In a Facebook post, Kloss said, “I just wanted to thank everyone who made phone calls, sent text messages, and posted online to support my campaign. It is a privilege to serve and so humbling to have so many good people support me in this endeavor. I am so grateful to every one of you. I promise to serve this community and our schools to the very best of my ability. Thank you for your vote and belief in me.”

Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District Board

In the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District Board of Directors race, incumbents Jon Baker and James E. Kerr II were re-elected, and Anthony Moseley gained a seat after Colby Lyles decided to not run again.

Other contests

Unofficial returns show the following results:

Enfield town board

Incumbent Mayor W. Mondale Robinson defeated challenger Tony Silver by a 377-310 margin.

Halifax County Board of Elections Director Kristin Scott said a protest was filed questioning whether Silver actually lives in the town limits. That was expected to be discussed by the Board of Elections.

In the District A race, incumbent Bobby Whitaker beat former town Commissioner Bud A. Whitaker by a 204-80 margin.

In the District B race, challenger Sarah Brinker ran unopposed and collected 202 votes. There were 146 write-ins cast.

The write-ins are not expected to alter the outcome of the race, Scott said.

Halifax town board

Incumbents Patterson Wilson, Sheila Wood, and William Johnson ran unopposed and were re-elected.

Hobgood town board

The board of elections is expected to know by Thursday whether 43 write-in votes for mayor will affect the outcome of that race, Scott said.

Incumbent Mayor Dannie A. Flanary received 23 votes.

The same also applies to the Hobgood town board race, where write-ins totaled 81 and incumbents Mary Ann Coley and Ron Elkins received 23 and 21 votes, respectively.

Littleton town board

Incumbent Mayor Heidi Hogan, who ran unopposed, received 73 votes and was re-elected.

In the town board race, in which two seats were open but no one filed, there were 152 write-in ballots cast. Like in the Hobgood race, the Board of Elections will have to determine the winner by looking at the write-ins, Scott said.

Scotland Neck town board

In Scotland Neck, incumbent Mayor Eddie Braxton was defeated by challenger Leroy D. Powell. Powell collected 251 votes to Braxton’s 233. There were two write-ins cast.

In the town board race, Marcus E. Morris, an officer who filed a federal civil rights suit against the town, won a seat on the panel, collecting 273 votes.

Challenger Kim Stallings won a seat on the board, and incumbent Gloria Jean Cofield was re-elected. Challenger Forest Bradley lost his bid for election.

Weldon town board

In the mayor’s race, incumbent Hugh Credle collected 111 votes to beat challenger Jennifer Cox, a town board member who received 93 votes.

In the town board race, incumbent Doris Garner was the top vote-getter with 143. Challengers Justin Moore — 139 votes — and Carla Pat Ponton-Farrow — 125 votes — earned seats on the panel.

Incumbent Muzette Fitts Kiger lost her bid for re-election, collecting 90 votes.