Note: Updated May 27, 2022
The results are in for the City of New Bern Municipal Election and the Primary Election for Craven County Commissioners!
Bob Brinson for Alderman Ward 6 was the only clear winner of the contested races. Barbara Best for Alderman Ward 5, Johnnie Ray Kinsey for Alderman Ward 4, and Bobby Aster for Alderman Ward 3 were unopposed and elected.
Toussaint Summers, Jr. for Mayor, Sabrina Bengel for Alderman Ward 1, and Jennell Reddick for Alderman Ward 2 are front runners, but Alderman Jeffrey Odham, Rick Prill, and Hazel Royal may request runoffs. Stay tuned.
Beatrice Smith wins District 3, ET Mitchell wins District 4, and Theron McCabe wins District 5 in Craven County Commissioner Primary.
Per NC Statute§ 163-293. Determination of election results in cities using the election and runoff election method. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, nonpartisan municipal elections in cities using the election and runoff election method shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast. A majority within the meaning of this section shall be determined as follows:
(1) When more than one person is seeking election to a single office, the majority shall be ascertained by dividing the total vote cast for all candidates by two. Any excess of the sum so ascertained shall be a majority, and the candidate who obtains a majority shall be declared elected…
According to Director Meloni Wray, Craven County Board of Elections, “The elected officials for the City of New Bern cannot be sworn in until after they receive the official Certificate of Election.”
“We have 6 days to issue these after the canvass of the election. Canvass for the May 17 election is May 27.”
“If there is a runoff for any races it will be July 26 with the canvass being August 5.”
“The City of New Bern will set the date for the swearing in of the new elected officials.”
Here’s the results:
Mayor
Toussaint E. Summers, Jr. Ballot Count: 2,635 Percent: 46.18 %
Jeffrey T. Odham Ballot Count: 2,631 Percent: 46.11%
Tim Harris Ballot Count: 304 Percent: 5.33%
Maxwell D. Oglesby Ballot Count: 126 Percent: 2.21%
Write-In (Misc) Ballot Count: 10 Percent: 0.18%
Alderman Ward 1
Sabrina Bengel Ballot Count: 548 Percent: 42.98 %
Rick Prill Ballot Count: 507 Percent: 39.76%
Bernard W. White Ballot Count: 217 Percent: 17.02%
Write-In (Misc) Ballot Count: 3 Percent: 0.24%
Alderman Ward 2
Jennell Reddick Ballot Count: 268 Percent: 38.67%
Hazel Royal Ballot Count: 240 Percent: 34.63 %
Jameesha Harris Ballot Count: 184 Percent: 26.55%
Write-In (Misc) Ballot Count: 1 Percent: 0.14%
Alderman Ward 3
Bobby Aster Ballot Count: 982 Percent: 97.81%
Write-In (Misc) Ballot Count: 22 Percent: 2.19%
Alderman Ward 4
Johnnie Ray Kinsey Ballot Count: 531 Percent: 94.32%
Write-In (Misc) Ballot Count: 32 Percent: 5.68%
Alderman Ward 5
Barbara J. Best Ballot Count: 475 Percent: 97.54%
Write-In (Misc) Ballot Count: 12 Percent: 2.46%
Alderman Ward 6
Bob Brinson Ballot Count: 818 Percent: 60.86%
Travis Oakley Ballot Count: 514 Percent: 38.24%
Bruce LaViolette (Write-In) Ballot Count: 6 Percent: 0.45%
Write-In (Misc) Ballot Count: 6 Percent: 0.45%
Craven County Commissioner District 3
Beatrice Smith DEM Ballot Count: 766 Percent: 62.99%
Dorothea D. White DEM Ballot Count: 450 Percent: 37.01%
Craven County Commissioner District 4
ET Mitchell REP Ballot Count: 1,486 Percent: 62.83%
Dana E. Outlaw REP Ballot Count: 879 Percent: 37.17%
Craven County Commissioner District 5
Theron McCabe DEM Ballot Count: 413 Percent: 66.08%
Milly Acevedo DEM Ballot Count: 212 Percent: 33.92%
For more results, visit the North Carolina Board of Election website.
By Wendy Card, Editor