Cooper, Whatley Lead Senate Primaries; Edwards Wins Big in Cherokee County

MURPHY, N.C. — Voters in Cherokee County turned out Tuesday, March 3, for the primary election, with all 16 precincts reporting results by the end of the night.

In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Roy Cooper carried the county with 678 votes, or 84.86 percent. Marcus W. Williams finished second with 35 votes (4.38 percent), followed by Daryl Farrow and Justin E. Dues with 31 votes each (3.88 percent). Robert Colon received 13 votes (1.63 percent) and Orrick Quick had 11 votes (1.38 percent).

On the Republican side, Michael Whatley led the field with 2,615 votes, or 59.53 percent. Donald M. (Don) Brown received 676 votes (15.39 percent). Michele Morrow had 350 votes (7.97 percent), Thomas Johnson 239 (5.44 percent), Elizabeth A. Temple 219 (4.99 percent), Margot Dupre 186 (4.23 percent), and Richard Dansie 108 (2.46 percent).

In the 11th Congressional District Democratic primary, Jamie Ager led with 322 votes (40.76 percent). Zelda Briarwood received 178 votes (22.53 percent), Paul Maddox 130 (16.46 percent), Richard Hudspeth 118 (14.94 percent), and Lee Whipple 42 (5.32 percent).

Republican incumbent Chuck Edwards dominated the GOP primary for the 11th District seat with 3,202 votes (69.53 percent), defeating Adam R. Smith, who received 1,403 votes (30.47 percent).

In the Republican primary for N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 01, Michael C. Byrne narrowly edged Matt Smith, receiving 2,124 votes (50.61 percent) to Smith’s 2,073 votes (49.39 percent).

For N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 03 on the Democratic ballot, Christine Marie Walczyk won with 516 votes (66.93 percent), while James Weldon Whalen received 255 votes (33.07 percent).

Local races drew strong interest among Republican voters.

In the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners District I race, Jeana Conley led with 2,436 votes (51.94 percent), followed by Cal Stiles with 1,165 (24.84 percent) and Steve Jordan with 1,089 (23.22 percent).

Steve Coleman won the District III commissioners race with 2,510 votes (54.34 percent), defeating Mark Stalcup, who received 2,109 votes (45.66 percent).

In District IV, Sue Lynn Ledford received 2,136 votes (45.48 percent). Barry Killian had 1,554 votes (33.08 percent), Dan Eichenbaum 897 (19.10 percent), and Tom O’Leske 110 (2.34 percent).

For Cherokee County Board of Education at-large, Randy Phillips won with 2,716 votes (60.26 percent) over Stephen Dartez, who received 1,791 votes (39.74 percent).

The Board of Education District II race was closely contested, with David Ricks receiving 2,309 votes (50.62 percent) and Jeannie Gaddis receiving 2,252 votes (49.38 percent).

In the District III Board of Education race, where voters selected two candidates, Jason Murphy led with 3,578 votes (43.94 percent). Shannon D. Raper received 2,561 votes (31.45 percent), and Gary Butler had 2,004 votes (24.61 percent).

In the Republican primary for Cherokee County Sheriff, Chris Wood received 3,786 votes (80.98 percent), defeating Sam May with 499 votes (10.67 percent) and Dustin D. Smith with 390 votes (8.34 percent).