FARMINGTON – Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike will retain his leadership position in law enforcement for the next four years after voters gave him the thumbs up Tuesday.

Despite an endorsement for Republican Thomas White II from the Franklin County Deputies Association, Pike defeated White and his Democratic opponent, Deputy Albert Smith.

Pike, also a Farmington selectman, took more than twice as many votes than White in the county seat – an important component to winning the election. Smith won only in Carthage, where voters cast 135 ballots for him against Pike’s 75 and White’s 72. Overall, Pike received 42.5 percent of the county votes, White 34.5 and Smith 23.

White narrowly defeated Pike in Wilton with 846 votes against Pike’s 800. Smith received 732 there, his hometown.

Typically a Democratic stronghold, White’s hometown of Jay overwhelmingly supported him, giving him 52 percent of the votes against Smith’s 29 percent. Pike took only 20 percent there, his poorest showing in the county.

Pike said he was very pleased Wednesday.

“Both challengers are fine people,” he said, adding that they wouldn’t be working for him if they were not.

Concerning the deputies’ endorsement of his opponent, Pike said he is “optimistic that the situation will correct itself.”

“I have every expectation that any personality issues will be resolved,” he added.

“It’s been quite an interesting ride,” said a disappointed White, adding that he’d never been involved in politics before.

He said he was pleased with his neighbors’ support in Jay, attributing his success there to his law enforcement style, which residents came to know when he served as a patrolman in the town.

He was also pleased that he presented a challenge to the incumbent, he said.

“We banged on his door,” he said, “and he had to lock it.”

Many of his fellow law-enforcement officers were at his home watching the results Tuesday night, he said, and when they realized that Pike would probably prevail, they talked about going forward.

“We’re public employees, we’ve got our heads up high and we will continue to work for the people,” he said.

Challenger Albert Smith was not available for comment Wednesday. His wife, Shannon Smith, said he was out collecting campaign signs.

Pike said he will continue to push for more security and space for county dispatch, a solution to the jail overcrowding issue and the addition of a second trained dog with drug detection capabilities.