Republican Jean Papay has won the office of Carbon County register of wills and clerk of orphans’ court based on the results of Tuesday’s general election.

Papay garnered 5,808 out of 10,852 votes, or 53.52 percent, to outdistance her opponent, Democrat Deborah J. Gigliotti, who received 5,038 votes, or 46.42 percent. There were six write-in votes.

Joined by family and friends at the home of Mark and Pam Fludgate of Lehighton, Papay said she was grateful for the backing she received.

“I’m humbled by all the support I received throughout this campaign,” Papay said. “It was a lot of work, a lot of door knocking, grass roots.”

Papay added, “I’m honored to be taking the seat. I’m looking forward to bringing the office out to the citizens of Carbon County, doing some outreach.”

“I just want to thank everybody who took part in my campaign,” she said. “I’m just overwhelmed with how much support I received.”

Papay, of Palmerton, added, “I know I will do a great job for Carbon County.”

“I’d like to thank Deb Gigliotti for a fair campaign,” she said. “I want to thank state Rep. Doyle Heffley for being my mentor.”

Papay has 20 years of professional office management experience, is a small-business owner, and district office manager for Heffley.

Contacted this morning, Gigliotti congratulated Papay on her win.

“We both held great campaigns, I’m holding my head high; evidently her voters came out and got her in,” Gigliotti said. “I met a lot of great people along the way and for that, I’m eternally grateful.”

Gigliotti, of Summit Hill, is a first deputy in the Office of Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court.

Longtime register of wills Judy Moon is retiring this year.