Jones wins state House seat
Brenden Jones listens as South Williams Precinct vote totals are announced Tuesday night. (Deuce Niven photo)
By DEUCE NIVEN
Brenden Jones became the first Republican from Columbus County elected to the North Carolina legislature in modern times, perhaps since reconstruction following the Civil War, early unofficial returns from Tuesday’s general election showed.
Organization and a widespread desire for change fueled Jones to 60 percent of the vote with 37 of 40 precincts reporting in about 10 p.m. Tuesday, 24 of 26 precincts in Columbus County.
“I think it shows that people in the district are ready for change,” Jones said as about 50 supporters gathered at Cub’s Subs restaurant in Tabor City to watch returns from races up and down the ballot.
Jones said that support has been widespread, crossing economic, social, racial, and political lines in a district that until recent years was seen as reliably Democratic.
Jones’ vote totaled 18,298 with all but three precincts reporting Tuesday night, Democrat Tim Benton trailed with 11,210, Libertarian Thomas Howell Jr. had 966 votes.
In Columbus County Jones had 13,343 votes with just two precincts outstanding, Benton 8,071, Howell 525.
School board
Political newcomer Randy Coleman scored a strong victory over incumbent District 1 Columbus County Board of Education member Norris L. Ebron in Tuesday’s voting.
With 23 of 24 precincts reporting, Coleman claimed 63.3 percent of the total with 9,085 votes, Ebron claimed 5,193 votes of almost 36.2 percent, with 75 write-in votes recorded.
For more on Tuesday’s election see Wednesday’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.
