GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. – Some surprising results came in across the Piedmont-Triad Tuesday night.

• Danny Rogers has defeated BJ Barnes.
• Barnes has been sheriff since 1994.
• Rogers won with 52 percent of the vote.

Democratic challenger Danny Rogers defeated incumbent Republican Sheriff BJ Barnes.

It's the first time a Democrat has run the department since 1994.

Barnes has been the sheriff of Guilford County for more than two decades.

Rogers has been on the campaign trail for eight years, challenging Barnes more than once. He says he feels that running multiple times has given the community the chance to get to know him.

"They've heard my story,” explained Rogers overnight. “They've heard my law enforcement background and heard my business background. And they've heard how things have been thrown at me, but the most important piece they watched how I handled it."

Rogers once worked for the sheriff’s office as well as the High Point Police Department.

He won with 52 percent of the vote.