Pollard sworn in as register of deeds

Becky Pollard officially took office Monday as the register of deeds, the first Republican to hold the office in Onslow County history.

"I just want to thank those that supported me and say that I will do my best to serve all of Onslow County," she said after a ceremony at the Onslow County Courthouse.

Pollard was sworn in by N.C. Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby who told those in attendance about the importance of the office of register of deeds.

"For everyone who has a mortgage or owns their home, they should know how important the register of deeds is to them," he said. "Everything must be filed and every record verified."

Pollard's husband, former state Sen. Tommy Pollard, joined her for the swearing in ceremony.

Becky Pollard said she will begin to prepare for the expected county growth due to the expansion of Camp Lejeune with cross-training and by acquiring advanced record-keeping software.

Pollard defeated former register of deeds Maryland Kaye Washington by 619 votes. Pollard received 23,785 votes, or 50.66 percent of the vote, to Washington's 23,166 votes, or 49.34 percent of the vote.

Semi-retired after her loss to Pollard, Washington said she has not decided what her next step will be.

"I am going to do something, I just don't know what yet," she said.

Contact Lindell Kay at 910-219-8456.