Election day has come and gone, and Macon County voters have their general election candidates.
Betty Cloer Wallace will represent Macon County Democrats as a candidate for the Macon County Board of Commissioners. Wallace garnered 1,768 votes or 55.65 percent of the vote compared 1,409 or 44.35 percent for Olga Lampkin.
Josh Young claimed the Republican primary for Macon County Board of Commissioners District 2 with 2,482 votes (44.55 percent). Bryan Rauers received 1,850 votes (33.21 percent) and Terry Bradley garnered 1,239 (22.24 percent).
Wallace ran on a platform involving merging functions of the county government and the Town of Franklin, as well as increased funding for education, healthcare and economic development. She feels that her victory signifies evolving priorities among local voters.
“This election shows a shift in ways of thinking among Democrats and among Republicans and among independents in Macon County,” Wallace said. “I see a new day coming full of new ideas and new people.”
Young’s platform also emphasizes improving access to education and economic opportunities, as well as doing more to combat drug related issues in the county. Having gotten the most votes of any commissioner candidate of any party, Young is grateful for the wave of enthusiasm he has seen for his candidacy.
“I just want to thank the constituents of Macon County who we couldn’t have done it without,” Young said. “We haven’t won yet, but we’re one step closer.”
State Sen. Jim Davis’ campaign to represent Republicans in the race for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District fell short. Davis got 17,400 votes (19.27 percent, finishing in third place to winner Lynda Bennett with 20,510 (22.72 percent) and second-place finisher Madison Cawthorn with 18,418 votes (20.40 percent).
The Republican nominee will be determined by a runoff election between Bennett and Cawthorn.
Despite the disappointing finish, Davis said he is happy with his campaign’s show of fiscal responsibility (he spent only about $4.50 per vote) and is looking forward to beginning his retirement from the N.C. Senate in earnest next year.
“I’m proud of the campaign I ran and I’m at peace with the results,” Davis said. “We’re already planning a camping trip to go warm up in Florida.”
Davis’ Senate seat may end up being filled by state representative Kevin Corbin, who cruised to victory over Sarah Conway in his primary with 19,991 votes (78.15 percent), compared to Conway’s 5,588 votes (21.85 percent)
Corbin expressed his appreciation for the continued support of many of the same voters who sent him to the N.C. House of Representatives, as well as for Conway, whom he says will have a role in advising his campaign going forward.
“I’m very appreciative of the counties I already represent showing me the support that they did,” Corbin said. “I’m eager to serve them in a greater capacity and I look forward to the fall.”
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.