Reid defeated in Catawba County sheriff's race amid stalking allegations

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Jason Reid has lost to Newton Police Chief Don Brown in the race for Catawba County sheriff.

[CLICK HERE: Primary Election Results]

With all of the precincts counted, Brown had more than double Reid's votes in unofficial results.

Two weeks ago, the State Bureau of Investigations executed a search warrant at the narcotics office in the sheriff's office after Reid was accused of stalking by placing a county tracking device on an ex-girlfriend's car.

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Reid, who is the son of current Sheriff Coy Reid and used to supervise the narcotics office, has repeatedly denied the allegation.

"This entire situation is a political attack,” Reid said at Monday’s news conference.

[RELATED: Catawba sheriff candidate says investigation of him is 'dirty politics']

Many of the voters who spoke to Channel 9 Tuesday said the sheriff’s race between Reid and Brown was the reason they came to the polls.

"It just made me want to voice my opinion,” voter Beth Whitener said.

"It's gonna get your attention, but I didn't make my decision based on that,” voter Johnny James said.

Election officials said more than 8,700 people voted during early voting in Catawba County, which is nearly twice the number during the last sheriff’s race in 2014.

Some of Reid's supporters told us they don't believe he did anything wrong and should replace his father as sheriff, who was out campaigning for his son.

"I know Jason Reid. I actually go to church with him and he's always been real nice to my family,” voter Danielle Bumgarner said.

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