N.C. Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, has his sights set on continuing to work on issues such as dropout prevention and gang prevention.

The third-term state senator defeated Democratic challenger Shelly Willingham by a margin of more than 380 votes, unofficially, in a 6,458 to 6,074 victory on Tuesday night.

"I am very pleased with the outcome," Jenkins said. "I look forward to serving for two more years."

Willingham, who challenged Jones previously, said that although many voters supported him, it just wasn't enough to put him over the top.

"It appears we couldn't get enough people to come out and make a change," Willingham said. "I think next time there will be someone else running (as Jenkins' opposition) if not me."

Jenkins said he will continue to work to lower the dropout rates and institute a gang violence prevention program.

"I think we're going to find something to do with dropout rates and gang prevention," Jenkins said.

As for challenges, he added that there are many funding and economic issues to be resolved to bring funding from Raleigh to the region.