Trogdon win in Asheboro Mayor's race tops local election results

ASHEBORO — Asheboro has a new mayor and the Asheboro City Council has three new members, with a decision on a possible fourth on the horizon.
That was one of the major outtakes from the off-year elections that decide municipal races around the state, many in Randolph County. Here’s a look:

Asheboro

Joey Trogdon, son of former Asheboro Mayor Joe Trogdon, was voted in to replace retiring longtime Mayor David Smith. Trogdon collected a little over 58 percent (1,640 votes) of the voters’ decision to defeat Eddie Burks, who collected a little under 42% (1,171 votes) percent as the race also include a dozen write-in votes.

Both Trogdon and Burks hold seats on the City Council; Burks will retain his while the council will appoint someone to take Trogdon’s place.

The City Council faced major change going into the race with veterans Clark Bell and Mayor Pro-Tem Walker Moffitt not seeking re-election and either Trogdon or Burks vacating a seat after winning. Incumbent Kelly Heath finished fourth in the balloting, which let her keep her seat on the council. Incumbent Bill McCaskill finished 7th, which opened the door for yet another new member.

The top three vote getters were Phil Skeen (1,618 votes, 16.1%), Phillip Cheek  (1,589 votes, 15.81%) and Mary Joan Pugh (1,422 votes, 14.15%). Heath (1,293, 12.87%) narrowly held onto her seat over Pam Vuncannon (1,228, 12.22%) and Dave Thomas (1,193, 11.87%).

Also in Asheboro, a pair of seats were filled on the Asheboro City Schools Board of Education. Four people ran, with Brad Thomas leading the way with just under 30% (1,690 votes). MiKayla Cassidy (1,434, 25.45%) outlasted Michael Brown (1,353, 24.01%) and incumbent Hilda DeCortez (1,147, 20.35%) for the second spot.

Franklinville

Ben Harman ran unopposed for mayor. William (Billy) Farias, Richard D. Goodwin and Sara Nieblas filled the three election seats up for grabs, with Joe Dawkins finishing fourth.

Liberty

Filmore York will return as mayor after running unopposed. Four candidates sought three seats on the Town Commission board and all garnered at least 21% of the vote. Tyson E. Nixon (166 votes, 27.62%), Terry L. Caviness (158 votes, 26.29%) and Rebekkah Glass (142, 23.63%) emerged as winners with Larry Coble trailing close behind (132, 21.96%).

Ramseur

Three candidates signed up to vie for two seats on the Ramseur Town Council. David Neve (133, 39.47%) and Jesse Hembree (98, 29.08%) claimed the positions over Diana Brower (46, 13.65%), with a hefty 60 people (17.80%) filing write-in votes.

Randleman

In a close race in Randleman, Mayor Gary Betts (189 votes, 50.94%) nipped challenger J.W. Gaster (180, 48.52%) in the biggest drama on the evening. Melissa Blalock easily retained her Ward 2 seat on the Board of Alderman (72.8% of the vote to Craig Hancock’s 26.37%) and Nancy Henderson ran unopposed for the Ward 3 seat.

Seagrove

Mayor David Fernandez ran unopposed and retained his position while Kevin McBride led the running for two Town commissioner seats with 51 votes (35.92%). Ed Walker finished second by one vote over Sandra Walker (36-35) and Jeremy Steinhart was fourth with 20 votes.

Staley

Mayor Karen Scotton will return after running unopposed. Five people ran for the five seats available on the Staley Town Commission. Brooke Boswell (29 votes), Lori Lynn Langley (28), Sherri Martin (28), Faye Johnson (27) and Renee Harrelson (25) will make up the board.