CARROLLTON — “It’s all over. The fat lady can sing,” a jubilant Jerry Carver called out Tuesday night to supporters gathered around him in the hallway of the courthouse.
Carver had just read the final vote tally that gave him a solid victory over his opponent, Michael Spellman, 2,218 (57 percent) to 1,645 (43 percent).
Carver had watched results in the courtroom, while Spellman got them at a distance.
Carver said he was surprised by the turnout and the big win.
“I didn’t realize it would be by that much of a margin,” he said. “It’s a welcome relief. I thank God, my supporters and especially my wife for all of the hard work.”
Both men have extensive law enforcement experience, and both have lived in the county for all of their lives.
In the end the incumbent won and will go into a second term. There are no challengers waiting in the general election.
“I just hope we can keep doing the job well. I hope we can get the resources we need to do it, especially in drug enforcement, one of my main concerns,” Carver said.
“I love Carroll County, and I want to do the best job I can to repay them for their support,” he said.
Spellman said he is disappointed in the results but accepts them and will support Carver and his department.
“I am sorry I didn’t win, but now it’s over and done with. I appreciate people who came out and supported me,” he said.
“I love Carroll County, and I want what’s best for the county. We’ve got to get behind the Sheriff’s Department and support them,” Spellman said.
Carver took more of the 1,743 primary votes that were divided between four losing candidates in the first primary. He added 605 votes to his first primary total of 1,613 to pull off the win at 2,218, while Spellman’s only increased by 181 to push him to 1,645.
Spellman had campaigned on a message of making the department more accessible to citizens and on his training and experience. He also felt his age, 36, was an advantage, as he could continue as sheriff for many years should citizens keep him there.
Carver had emphasized successes in solving crimes in the county, and in modernizing equipment. He also had said he felt his work in budget matters and revamping things at the regional prison had paid off, and he had not laid off any employees.
