Mark Meadows greets supporters at the Hilton on Long Shoals Road. (Photo by Bill Rhodes) See more photos of Election Day at our Flickr gallery.
Despite President Barack Obama carrying Buncombe County and winning re-election nationwide, it was a night of gains for local Republicans, as they won both local congressional seats and two of the three local Statehouse seats, and might well gain control of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. That race currently hinges on results in District 2, where Republicans hold a razor-thin lead that’s within the margin for a recount.
US House of Representatives District 10
With five of seven counties reporting, incumbent Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry defeated Democratic challenger Patsy Keever. McHenry had 57 percent (187,893 votes) to Keever’s 43 percent (141,821 votes).
US House of Representatives District 11
With 11 of 17 counties reporting, Republican Mark Meadows is well ahead of Democratic candidate Hayden Rogers. Meadows had 57 percent (183,350 votes) to Rogers’ 47 percent (135,372 votes).
Buncombe Commissioners Chair
Incumbent Democrat David Gantt handily beat Republican challenger JB Howard. Gantt had 61 percent (75,586 votes) to Howard’s 38 percent (47,315 votes)
Buncombe County Commissioners District 1
This Democratic stronghold stuck to its party affiliation, sending incumbent Holly Jones (45 percent with 32,573 votes) and newcomer Brownie Newman (39 percent 28,517 votes) to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Republican Don Guge, his party’s sole candidate in the district, got 15 percent with 10,994 votes.
Buncombe County Commissioners District 2
With all 24 precincts reporting, the results showed an extremely narrow lead for Republicans Mike Fryar (25.15 percent with 19,904 votes) and Christina Kelley G. Merrill (25.03 percent with 19,806 votes) ahead of Democrats Ellen Frost (24.92 percent with 19,719 votes) and incumbent Carol Peterson (24.90 percent with 19,701 votes). As the race is within less than 395 votes (or 0.5 percent of the 79,130 cast), it is potentially headed for a recount.
Buncombe County Commissioners District 3
Republicans Joe Belcher (27 percent with 19,309 votes) and David King (26 percent with 18,484 votes) defeated Democrats Michelle Pace Wood (23 percent with 16,248 votes) and Terry Van Duyn (22 percent with 16,032 votes).
NC Senate District 48
Incumbent Republican Sen. Tom Apodaca ran unopposed in this district.
NC Senate District 49
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Martin Nesbitt easily fended off a challenge from Republican RL Clark. With all precincts reporting, Nesbitt won 61 percent (61,360 votes) to Clark’s 38 percent (37,771 votes).
NC House 114
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Susan Fisher ran unopposed in this district.
NC House 115
Republican Nathan Ramsey (former chair of the Buncombe County commissioners) defeated Democratic challenger Susan Wilson. Ramsey got 54 percent (23,020 votes) to Wilson’s 45 percent (19,249 votes).
NC House 116
Incumbent Rep. Tim Moffitt defeated Democratic challenger (and former representative) Jane Whilden. Moffitt had 56 percent (21,119 votes) to Whilden’s 43 percent (16,437 votes).
City of Asheville Water Sale or Lease Referendum
Ashevilleans soundly rejected the idea of selling or leasing the water system, voting “No” by 85 percent (34,695 votes) to 14 percent for “Yes” (5,864 votes).
Buncombe County Register of Deeds
Incumbent Democrat Drew Reisinger defeated a challenge from Republican Pat Cothran. Reisinger had 56 percent (69,181 votes) to Cothran’s 43 percent (52,698 votes).
Buncombe County School Board
Paul (Dusty) Pless, Jr. with 29,463 votes holds a slim lead over Jerry Green with 28,743. In the North Buncombe District race Ann B. Franklin has been elected with 45,155 votes to Brian Freelan‘s 24,659. In the Owen District Chip Craig at 37,428 votes defeated Dan Hale with 27,170. And in the Roberson District, Amy Churchill won with 36,111 votes over Steven Weir Sizemore‘s 33,225.
What a sad sad feeling I have surrounded by old and young folks who have sold their souls to the devil of big monied Republican ways (for no good reason might I add)! But way to go Drew Reisinger! and Brownie Newman! and Holly Jones! and David Gantt! And to all of the Great North State who have voted for our step up to the plate of real change that matters and that has prevailed nationally.. and also to those who have now placed NC’s electoral college in favor of his opponent, a bastard child of the old rich… I bid you a fair night and a good morning! Keep the fight!