New Names and Familiar Faces Victorious in Primary

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

In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Roy Cooper carried the county with 506 votes, or 88.62 percent. Justin E. Dues received 26 votes (4.55 percent), followed by Marcus W. Williams with 16 (2.80 percent), Robert Colon with 12 (2.10 percent), Daryl Farrow with 8 (1.40 percent) and Orrick Quick with 3 (0.53 percent).

On the Republican side, Michael Whatley led the field with 1,278 votes, or 63.77 percent. Donald M. (Don) Brown received 242 votes (12.08 percent), Michele Morrow had 122 (6.09 percent), Elizabeth A. Temple garnered 118 (5.89 percent), Thomas Johnson received 113 (5.64 percent), Margot Dupre had 81 (4.04 percent) and Richard Dansie finished with 50 (2.50 percent).

In the U.S. House District 11 Democratic primary, Jamie Ager led with 264 votes (46.73 percent). Zelda Briarwood received 109 votes (19.29 percent), Richard Hudspeth had 107 (18.94 percent), Paul Maddox collected 71 (12.57 percent) and Lee Whipple received 14 (2.48 percent).

Republican incumbent Chuck Edwards dominated the GOP primary in the 11th District with 1,608 votes, or 73.59 percent. Adam R. Smith received 577 votes (26.41 percent).

In the race for North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Seat 01 on the Republican ballot, Matt Smith narrowly defeated Michael C. Byrne, 964 votes (51.80 percent) to 897 votes (48.20 percent).

For Court of Appeals Judge Seat 03 on the Democratic ballot, Christine Marie Walczyk received 379 votes (69.16 percent), while James Weldon Whalen garnered 169 votes (30.84 percent).

The Republican primary for the Clay County Board of Commissioners, where voters selected three candidates, was led by Dwight S. McClure Sr. with 1,192 votes (19.93 percent), followed by Andy James with 1,063 (17.78 percent) and Jason A. Rickett with 1,043 (17.44 percent). Other candidates included Christian Reagan with 887 votes (14.83 percent), Robert Seibert with 762 (12.74 percent), Tighe White with 664 (11.10 percent), Bonnye Williams with 195 (3.26 percent) and Matt Denham with 174 (2.91 percent).

In the Republican primary for the Clay County Board of Education, also selecting three candidates, Jason Shook led with 1,472 votes (24.77 percent), followed by Brett Woody with 1,406 (23.66 percent) and Kevin Crawford with 1,233 (20.75 percent). Reba Beck received 950 votes (15.99 percent) and Keith Parker had 881 (14.83 percent).

In the race for Clay County Sheriff's Office, incumbent Mark Buchanan won the Republican primary with 1,966 votes, or 84.89 percent. Joe Shook received 350 votes (15.11 percent).