Newcomer Ray Jeffers ran second, while former commissioner Samuel H. Winstead claimed the third nomination as a result of Tuesday’s balloting. All polled more than enough votes to avoid a runoff in June.

Clayton, 61, who is seeking his third consecutive four-year term on the board, collected 4,558 votes (26.11 percent) to lead the field.

Clayton was the top vote getter in nine of the county’s 14 precincts and also led the way in one stop voting. In the five precincts where Clayton did not receive the most votes, he finished second.

Clayton’s precinct wins came in Allensville, Bushy Fork, Cunningham/Chub Lake, Flat River, Holloway, Hurdle Mills, Mt. Tirzah, Olive Hill and Roxboro 2.

“I’m very pleased,” Clayton said when reached at his home Tuesday evening. “I appreciate all the people who helped me, and I appreciate all the people turning out to vote.”

A total of 9,856 of Person County’s 22,933 registered voters (42.98 percent) cast ballots in the primary election.

Clayton said he believed his vote total signaled approval of the work he has done as a commissioner during his previous two terms.

“I would like to think so,” Clayton said. “The people had my record to look at. The others were newcomers, but if they looked at my record and I got a vote, I think that is a sign of support.”

Clayton said he would ask for continued support when voters head to the polls in November.

“We’re going to try it again in November,” Clayton said. “I need the support again then.”

The top three Democratic hopefuls will face three Republican challengers in November.

Ray Jeffers, 24, who was the leading vote getter in five precincts Tuesday, placed second in the balloting with 3,912 votes.

Jeffers carried Roxboro 1, Roxboro 3, Roxboro 4, Roxboro 1A and Woodsdale precincts.

Jeffers, at first speechless over his success in the primary, shook his head as a wide smile crossed his face.

After gathering his thoughts on the results, he said he was humbled by the confidence placed in him by the people of Person County.

“I would like to thank everyone from Person County who supported and believed in me,” Jeffers said. “The citizens have spoken, and I will try my best not to let them down.”

Jeffers added that he was excited about campaigning through the general election in the fall, when he, Clayton and third-place finisher Winstead, will face Republican challengers incumbent Larry Yarborough, Sam Kennington and Gerry O’Neil.

Winstead, 82, who served one term on the county board in the early 1980s, placed third with 3,254 votes, narrowly edging fourth-place finisher Mike Barrett, 46, who garnered 3,125 votes, just 129 votes behind Winstead.

Winstead, reached via telephone at his home Tuesday night, said that he was proud and “glad to still be in the running” for the November election. He thanked all who had supported him and “helped me to get where I am.”

Winstead said he was most pleased, however, by the number of voters who went to the polls.

“I want to thank all those who came out and voted,” Winstead said. “I am real proud of the turnout.” He went on to say that he was now “looking forward to running again in the fall.”

Winstead’s top precincts Tuesday were Bushy Fork, Olive Hill and Mt. Tirzah, where he placed second in the balloting to Clayton.

Barrett, a teacher at Person High School, thanked his supporters, but he said, shortly after primary results were tabulated that the best thing about his run for county commissioner was having his students get involved.

An obviously disappointed, yet gracious, Barrett said he would now support the Democratic victors in the primary.

“I would like to thank everyone who supported me,” said Barrett,who stepped down as the Person County Democratic Party chair to seek the post. “It was a good run, and I learned a lot about the way the county operates.

“It was a bonus that the students at Person High School got involved [in the political process],” Barrett added.

“It’s cool,” he smiled and said, “when a student says, ‘Hey, I voted for you.’”

Barrett had runner-up finishes in a trio of precincts — Flat River, Holloway and Hurdle Mills.

David Brooks, 50, rounded out the five candidates with 2,610 votes. Brooks’ best showings came in the Holloway and Roxboro 4 precincts, where he placed third in each.

Staff Writer Phyliss Boatwright contributed to this story.