In the closest Macon County contest of the night, a referendum to raise the local sales tax by a quarter of a cent looks to have failed by 487 votes.
Not counting the roughly 60 provisional ballots left, 10,213 votes (51.22%) were cast “Against” the referendum compared to 9,726 “For” votes, or 48.78%.
“Against” carried the way in precincts outside Franklin, winning 10 of the 15 (Nantahala, Burningtown, Cowee, Millshoal, Ellijay, Sugarfork, Union, Smithbridge, Flats and Highlands). “For” took North Franklin, South Franklin, East Franklin, Iotla and Cartoogechaye.
The sales tax measure came closer than it did two years ago when it was 8,295 votes or 54.85% against and 6,829 votes or 45.15% for.
The extra money brought in from the sales tax increase (from 6.75% to 7%) was intended to go toward school capital needs. The sales tax hike was unanimously supported by the Macon County Board of Education and endorsed by the local business community.
Macon County Board of Commissioners Chair Gary Shields has been a proponent of the sales tax increase both times it appeared on the ballot. He said he would continue to support it each time it comes up for a vote.
“The 1/4 cent sales tax is a participation tax of $2 million that comes into our coffers meaning that the ad valorem tax can stay low by using these monies toward capital and operational expenses,” Shields said. “All people have to do is ask themselves that when their sales tax is 7 cents on a dollar and we only get credit for 6.75 (cents) in return, where is the other 1/4 cent going? Historically, this vote on the 1/4 cent sales tax may take multiple times, but seems to get closer to passing each time.”
Voter turnout
The 21,905 Macon County votes are more than the record 20,827 who turned out in 2020, but with population growth, the percentage of eligible voters casting a ballot went down from 76.68% to 74.65%. All election results are unofficial until canvass at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.
School Board race
In the only contested school board race, incumbent Jim Breedlove (District 4) appears to be joining uncontested Melissa Evans (District 3) and Hilary Wilkes (District 1) for another four years. Breedlove received 7,771 votes, or 44.18%, well ahead of the 5,937 for Danny Reitmeier (33.75%) and 3,801 for John deVille (21.61%). The 44.18% is higher than the 30% plus one vote ceiling that would trigger a runoff.
Breedlove, the current board chair, has served since 2008, with this apparent victory marking his fifth consecutive term.
“I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came out to vote in the Nov. 5 election; and the most sincere appreciation to all those who believed in me enough to re-elect me to the Macon County School Board,” Breedlove said in a statement. “I am especially grateful to my family, friends, and loyal supporters who so generously contributed their ongoing time and efforts to my campaign. It is truly an honor to be able to serve our community again; and to continue to finish what we started, and to be ever mindful of what is ‘In the Best Interests of Students.’”
Breedlove thanked Reitmeier and deVille for their willingness to run
“I appreciate their ideas, input, and expertise, and hope to work together toward the shared goal of supporting both our students and staff,” Breedlove stated.
Breedlove carried 14 of the 15 precincts, with deVille claiming Highlands. The defeat is the second for Reitmeier in his attempt to join the school board. Reitmeier fell by 187 votes to Stephanie Laseter in 2022.
“Obviously I’m disappointed with the results, which is an understatement. I don’t know what else I could have put into this race. I put my ideas and thoughts out there and put forth a lot of energy. My heart is to serve our county and kids. It’s hugely disappointing to not be in that seat and make a difference from that position. I was more than ready to jump in and be ready to help. I congratulate Jim on winning the election.”
Reitmeier encouraged people “to look into their local races as much as they look into state and national races,” believing people don’t research those races as much.
“I wish people would get fully informed on those races and vote accordingly,” Reitmeier said “It’s a tough pill to swallow. I’m proud of the race I ran.”
deVille said he appreciated all the support his campaign got.
“My congrats to Mr. Breedlove for winning another term,” deVille said. “I’ll continue to fight for public education in Macon County and the state of North Carolina.
County Commissioners race
Macon County Board of Commissioners races were both all-but known as Republicans Josh Young (District 2) and Barry Breeden (District 3) won their races uncontested. Breeden will be the lone new commissioner when sworn in next month.
N.C. General Assembly
In Macon County, Franklin Republicans Kevin Corbin (Senate District 50) and Karl Gillespie (House District 120) carried their home counties overwhelmingly. Corbin got 15,674 votes to Democrat Adam Tebrugge’s 5,548 and Gillespie got 14,985 votes to Democrat Nancy Curtis’s 6,086. Corbin and Gillespie both handily won reelection to their N.C. General Assembly seats with 66% and 75% of the vote, respectively.
“I am very grateful for the vote of confidence,” Corbin said. “When you are the incumbent, you run on what you have done and not what you might do. I’m thankful to our constituency for returning me to the N.C. Senate based on that work. I will continue to work hard for far Western North Carolina.”
“I am deeply grateful and honored that the citizens of House District 120 have given me an opportunity to serve in my third term in the state legislature,” Gillespie said.
“I’d like to congratulate Sen. Corbin on his re-election and wish him the best,” Tebrugge said. “During the campaign I made a number of friends in Macon County and look forward to staying in touch with them.”
Overall in the NCGA, while Republicans will appear to maintain a majority in both chambers, their slim supermajority in the state House was broken.
Governor’s race and state offices
Locally, gubernatorial candidate Republican Mark Robinson received 11,941 votes to Democrat Josh Stein’s 8,235. Statewide, Stein will be the next governor as he unofficially beat Robinson by 14.68%.
Down the ballot in state races, Macon County went for Republican candidates in contested contests, who had mixed success statewide. Democrat Rachel Hunt appears to be the next N.C. Lieutenant Governor, Democrat Jeff Jackson the next N.C. Attorney General, Republican Dave Boliek the next N.C. Auditor, Republican Steve Troxler keeps his Commissioner of Agriculture seat, Republican Mike Causey remains Commissioner of Insurance, Republican Luke Farley appears to be the next N.C. Commissioner of Labor, Democrat Elaine Marshall remains N.C. Secretary of State, Democrat Maurice “Mo” Green appears to be the next N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction and Republican Brad Briner appears to be the next N.C. Treasurer.
N.C. Constitutional Amendment
The N.C. Constitutional Amendment to enshrine citizen-only voting overwhelmingly passed both locally and statewide. Macon County citizens went 91.17% in favor, of 13,151. Statewide, the measure went 77.59% in favor.
U.S. House District 11
In U.S. House District 11, incumbent Republican Chuck Edwards got 15,222 votes to Democratic challenger Caleb Rudow’s 6,156. Edwards will be going back to Washington, D.C., for a second term as he leads district-wide by 13.5%.
Presidential race
In the residential race, Donald Trump got 14,871 votes in Macon County compared to 6,635 for Kamala Harris. This result mirrored the statewide unofficial result as Trump is projected to win North Carolina, and with 312 electoral votes, is projected to become the 47th U.S. president in January.