Adams County elected a new coroner Tuesday night.

Democrat James E. Lee defeated Independent candidate Pat Powers by a margin of 55.29 percent to 44.51 percent.

&uot;I have no comment,&uot; Lee said by phone Tuesday night from his house.

Lee could not be reached at his victory celebration at the Voter’s League on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Powers kept tally of the votes on his home computer, seeing his votes fall shy of his opponent’s.

&uot;I’d like to thank the voters of Adams County who supported me – it was greatly appreciated,&uot;&160;Powers said.

&uot;And I congratulate Mr. Lee and thank him for running a clean campaign.&uot;

Powers said he would still like to see the coroner’s office upgrade forensics in the next four years. &uot;That is my main concern,&uot; Powers said.

Lee’s previously stated goals for the coroner’s office include an office staffed by a full-time coroner and two deputy coroners. Another goal is to establish a youth initiative to deter young people from using drugs.

Staff writer Nita McCann contributed to this report.