Onslow Sheriff Republican primary: Chris Thomas wins

The Republican primary for Onslow County Sheriff ended in a landslide as Chief Deputy Colonel Chris Thomas took the win.

Thomas will be running unopposed in the November general election to become Onslow's new head of law enforcement after winning the 2022 primary election by nearly 7,000 votes at 8,253 or 74.16% percent.

Thomas ran opposed to Jacob Donnenwirth, who brought in 627 votes, John Yopp with 1,621, and J.J. Zamora with 627.

"We're pretty satisfied, obviously, with it, and we're looking forward to the challenge to come as far as serving as the sheriff of Onslow County," Thomas said Tuesday night.

Current sheriff Hans Miller, who served as Onslow sheriff for the last eight years, endorsed Thomas for the spot after deciding not to run for reelection.

All election results are unofficial until the Onslow County Board of Elections vote canvass on May 27.

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The canvass ensures votes have been counted correctly and required audits have been completed. During the canvass, election officials consider challenges to votes and process provisional ballots and absentee ballots received after Election Day.

The canvass process is required by law and is held after every election, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Reporter Morgan Starling can be reached at mstarling@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Daily News: Primary Election 2022: Chris Thomas wins Onslow sheriff primary