There's a new sheriff in Carbon County, and his name is Anthony C. Harvilla.

Harvilla, a Democrat, defeated Rick Bekesy, a Republican, and Matthew Schutter, a Libertarian, during Tuesday's general election to become the county's next sheriff. He will replace current Sheriff Dwight Nothstein, who is retiring at the end of the year, when he is sworn in in January.Harvilla received 6,013 votes, while Bekesy garnered 5,024. Schutter received 578 votes."I'm very pleased with the results," Harvilla said Tuesday night from Macaluso's Restaurant in Nesquehoning. "The reason is all of the support from many community leaders including the current Sheriff Dwight Nothstein, former Sheriff Pete Hoherchak and many others."I was committed to running a clean and positive campaign, and I think the voters appreciated that," he said. "I also felt that I was the most qualified candidate and I believe the voters recognized that."Harvilla, who resides in Tresckow, Banks Township, is a lifelong resident of Carbon County.He earned a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and corrections from the Pennsylvania State University and a master's degree in public administration from Marywood College.Harvilla began his law enforcement career in 1977 as the first work-release coordinator at the Carbon County prison. In 1980, he was appointed as a Carbon County adult probation officer, and five months later was promoted to chief adult probation officer.In 1989, Harvilla accepted a position with the U.S. Courts as a federal probation officer. He served in that capacity until 2010, when he was promoted to chief U.S. probation officer in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.Harvilla is currently a special deputy sheriff, is a member of the Carbon County Criminal Justice Advisory Board and serves on several committees. He is also a member of National Sheriffs' Association, Pennsylvania Sheriffs' Association and Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.