Brunswick County voters bucked the nationwide Democratic tide, sweeping Republicans into countywide offices and favoring Republicans in several statewide and national races.
Republican Bonner Stiller of Oak Island was re-elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, defeating Democrat Vernon Ward 62%-38%. Stiller represents the 17th House District, which includes all of northern Brunswick County.
Republicans claimed all three School Board seats on this year’s ballot. Olaf “Bud” Thorsen defeated Democrat John T. Jones and Libertarian Ray Gilbert in District 1 with 49.27% of the vote. Catherine Cooke defeated Democrat Christy Judah in District 2 with 54.85% of the vote. In District 4, longtime incumbent Shirley Babson defeated Democrat Tom Simmons with 50.83% of the vote.
Republicans also swept the races for County Commissioner. In District 3, Republican Charles Warren defeated incumbent Democrat May Moore, 55%-45%. In District 4, Republican challenger Scott Phillips defeated incumbent Democrat Tom Rabon, 54%-46%. In District 5, incumbent Republican Bill Sue defeated Democratic challenger Randall Rhodes, 52%-48%. In District 2, incumbent Republican Marty Cooke defeated Democrat Marion Davis, 53%-47%. The District 2 seat is an unexpired term that will be on the ballot again in 2010. Cooke was appointed when Commissioner David Sandifer passed away earlier this year.
Longtime Register of Deeds Robert J. Robinson was defeated by Republican challenger Brenda Mercer Clemmons, 54%-46%.
Democratic State Senator R.C. Soles, Jr. of Tabor City appears to have squeaked out a close win over Republican challenger Bettie Fennell of Pender County. According to the N.C. State Board of Elections’ Web Site Soles, who has been in the Senate for 36 years, was leading 48.7%-45.78%, with Libertarian Rachel Joiner Merrill receiving 5.51%. Fennell mounted a spirited, aggressive challenge against Soles. Fennell carried Brunswick County 49%-45%.
In the Seventh Congressional District, which includes all of Brunswick County, incumbent Democrat Mike McIntyre defeated Republican challenger Will Breazeale by a margin of 69%-31%. McIntyre carried Brunswick County, 61%-39%.
Click here for detailed Brunswick County results.
Click here for statewide results.
