Election Update: GOP Sweeps Local Races in Columbus County, But Key Statewide Seats Split

WHITEVILLE, N.C. — Final unofficial election returns show a strong performance for Republican candidates across Columbus County in Tuesday’s midterm elections. While local voters favored GOP candidates in major state and federal contests, statewide results presented a split outcome for high-profile seats.

Federal and Statewide Contests: Columbus vs. North Carolina

In the high-stakes contest for U.S. Senate, Columbus County voters favored Republican Michael Whatley over former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper by a margin of 9,449 to 7,160. However, statewide projections show Cooper winning the open Senate seat to represent North Carolina in Washington.

In the race for Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, Republican challenger Sarah Stevens carried Columbus County with 9,587 votes to Democratic incumbent Anita Earls’ 7,249. Statewide, however, Earls retained her seat on the high court, securing a second eight-year term.

Incumbent U.S. Representative David Rouzer (R-NC07) secured another term representing the region, defeating Democratic challenger Kimberly Hardy in Columbus County 10,265 to 6,594.

General Assembly District Races

Republicans representing Columbus County held their ground in both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly:

• N.C. House District 46: Incumbent State Rep. Brenden Jones defeated Democrat Brittany Newton 10,060 to 6,724.

• N.C. Senate District 8: Incumbent State Sen. Bill Rabon, whose district includes Brunswick and Columbus counties, outpaced Democrat Rick Combes locally by a vote of 10,025 to 6,593.

Local School Board and Board of Commissioners Results

Columbus County Board of Commissioners

• District 7: Republican incumbent Scott Floyd won re-election, defeating Democratic challenger Jeff Register 1,307 to 881.

• District 1: Democrat Barbara Featherson ran unopposed for the District 1 seat, securing 1,518 votes.

• District 6: Republican Jeanne McPherson, who defeated incumbent Rickey Bullard in the spring primary, ran unopposed in the general election and gathered 1,965 votes.

County County Sheriff & Clerk of Court

• Sheriff: Unopposed incumbent Sheriff Bill Rogers gathered 11,723 votes.

• Clerk of Superior Court: Unopposed incumbent Jess Hill received 12,663 votes.

Columbus County Board of Education

• District 2: Ronnie Strickland defeated Beatrice Addison 7,624 to 4,757.

• District 3: Republican Irvin Enzor ran unopposed, receiving 8,734 votes.

• District 4: Chris Worley ran unopposed, securing 8,765 votes.

Whiteville City Schools Board of Education

• At-Large Seat: Byron Fisher won the competitive single at-large seat, leading Edward Squires 1,941 to 1,659.

• District 1: Incumbent Anna Richardson ran unopposed, receiving 752 votes.

• District 2: Incumbent David Flowers ran unopposed, receiving 644 votes.

Constitutional Amendments and Local Referenda

Columbus County voters approved all three statewide constitutional amendments on the ballot:

• Voter Photo ID Requirement: Approved locally 12,944 (for) to 3,528 (against).

• Income Tax Cap (3.5%): Approved locally 12,937 (for) to 3,517 (against).

• Property Tax Limit Requirement: Approved locally 12,149 (for) to 4,291 (against).

County & Alcohol Referenda

• Local Sales Tax: The proposed one-quarter-cent county sales tax failed locally, with 9,467 voters opposed.

• Rural Beer Sales: Approved 8,086 (for) to 7,839 (against).

• Rural Wine Sales: Approved 8,039 (for) to 7,839 (against).

• Mixed Drink Sales: Approved 8,718 (for) to 7,260 (against).

All results remain unofficial until officially canvassed by the Board of Elections.

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