ASHEBORO — Municipal races in Randolph County are technically non-partisan races.
Yet in this year’s race for Asheboro City School Board, the Randolph County Republican Party endorsed four candidates and sent mailers on behalf of their preferred candidates.
Those four candidates — incumbents Baxter Hammer and Beth Knott and newcomers Hailey Trollinger Lee and Adam Hurley — won by wide margins in last week’s election. High turnout -– possibly fueled by the GOP ground game – buoyed certain candidates and pushed victory margins.
In the Asheboro City Council race, the lone Republican — incumbent Walker Moffitt — won the most votes of any candidate. Moffit and the four school board winners had their names on yellow cards that GOP field operatives were passing out at the polls.
“I am appreciative of Asheboro Republicans who turned out in support of our endorsed candidates,” GOP chairman Rick Smith said. “It’s clear they don’t want Asheboro students to be divided or labeled by the color of their skin. Hopefully this vote will challenge the Board and school administration to abandon any programs or policies which might lead to that outcome.”
Smith referenced the topics of critical race theory and so-called diversity panels that were heavily debated around Asheboro prior to the election.
Hurley, who won his first attempt at public office, said that issues surrounding “equity and inclusion” were one of the reasons he ran for the school board.
“I credit the win to the people of Asheboro seeing what is at stake and taking a stand for our children,” Hurley said. “The people have spoken and they don’t want progressive ideology in the classroom.”
Lee, who said she was against teaching critical race theory in schools, said she was humbled to be elected to the board.
“I’m grateful for all of those who have supported me and helped encourage me throughout this process,” Lee said. “Thanks to everyone who came out to vote over the last several weeks. This really means a lot to me and I am looking forward to putting in the work for our district.”
David Smith retained his position as Asheboro mayor as he was unopposed.
In the city council race, Moffitt secured 1,325 votes. Next were Clark Bell (1,286), William McCaskill (946) and Kelly Heath (944), all landing seats. Missing out were Katie Snuggs (917) and Delilah Perkins Warner (530).
Here are results for some of the other races in Randolph County:
• In Franklinville, a close race unfolded for mayor.
A.C. Hurley received 50 votes compared to Perry Conner’s 49. Hurley has been a town commissioner for more than 20 years. Conner was seeking a fifth term as mayor.
For commissioner seats, Richard Goodwin and Brandon Hurley both received 55 votes as those incumbents kept their seats. William (Billy) Farias was third with 41 in the six-person race.
• In Trinity, incumbent mayor Richard McNabb won easily with 451 votes. Challenger Veronica Armstrong had 193.
Council seats in Trinity were won by Ed Lohr (Ward 2) and Robbie Walker (Ward 4).
Walker received 51.6 percent of the votes in a four-candidate race. Lohr topped incumbent Steve Lawing.
• In Liberty, Filmore York ran unopposed for mayor.
For town commissioner, Larry Coble topped the list with 143 votes, Tyson Nixon received 136, Terry Caviness had 116 and Christ Compton received 95.
• In Randleman, incumbent Melissa Blalock was the winner for an alderman’s seat in Ward 2 with 121 votes to Craig Hancock’s 97. Nancy Henderson was unopposed in Ward 3.
Gary Betts ran unopposed to become Randleman’s new mayor.
• In Ramseur, the race for town commissioner was won by Diana Brower (47 votes). She was ahead of Joy Hooker (27) and Wayne Carroll (23).
• In Seagrove, David Robert Fernandez ran unopposed for mayor.
