LUMBERTON — District Court Judge Judith Milsap Daniels secured re-election on Tuesday largely with the help of voters who cast their ballots early.

Daniels defeated Rodney Oxendine, an assistant district attorney who was seeking his first elected public office.

During the 16-day early-voting period, Daniels received 10,640 votes, nearly twice the 5,347 votes cast for Oxendine during that time. The final tally on Tuesday showed Daniels with 57.04 percent of the 37,079 ballots, and Oxendine receiving 42.96 percent.

“I want to thank all of the folks of Robeson County for supporting me not only in this election but in the past,” Daniels said Tuesday night. “I’m doing my best to be worthy of their support and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve Robeson County … there’s really not words to express how much I appreciate all of the voters.”

Daniels, 53, of Lumberton, had been an assistant district attorney for 21 years — 16 years in Robeson County — before her election as District Court judge.

“I intend to continue serving in the same way, being fair serving with integrity and I intend to do those same things,” Daniels said. “There is always room for improvement and I will continue to look for ways to prove and I think voters are pleased with what I’ve done.”

Oxendine could not be reached for comment.