Primary Narrows Field Of School Board Candidates
Voters in Tuesday’s primary election narrowed the field of candidates for the Johnston County Board of Education. There were a total of 10 candidates running in two districts. The top two vote-getters in each district advanced to November to face off in the General Election.
District 4: In District 4, six candidates were running for the seat. The two top candidates were April Lee and David Spain. In unofficial results, Lee received 11,599 votes (34.9%) and Spain 11,343 votes (33.9%). They will face off in November.
The other candidates were Emily Burke with 3,517 votes (10.6%), Ken Ramey 2,455 votes (7.3%), Telia Y. Virgin 2,368 votes (7.1%), and Tasa McGown with 2,065 votes (6.2%).
District 7: In the closely watched District 7 primary between four candidates, incumbent Ronald Johnson and Jeff Sullivan led the ballot and will advance to November. In unofficial results, Johnson received 13,038 votes (38.5%) to Sullivan’s 10,841 vote total (32.1%).
Finishing third was David Marshburn with 7,609 votes (22.2%) and Sam Solmonson came in fourth with 2,421 votes (7.2%), in unofficial returns.
Voters Select Three County Commissioners
Candidates running for three Johnston County commission seats put it all on the line for the March 5 Republican primary.
In the District 1 race, Michelle Pace Davis easily defeated Bennett Jones and Harold De Lancey. In unofficial returns, Pace Davis garnered 12,021 votes (49.3%), compared to 7,373 votes (30.3%) for Jones and 4,968 votes (20.4%) for De Lancey. Incumbent Commissioner Fred Smith did not seek reelection this year in District 1.
In District 2, incumbent Commissioner Ted Godwin defeated challenger Caleb Johnson. Commissioner Godwin carried 14,110 votes (59%) to Johnson’s 9,842 votes (41%).
In the District 6 commission race, Bill Stovall carried the ticket with 13,285 votes (55.5%) over challenger Tim Little’s 10,698 votes (44.5%), in unofficial results. Stovall will replace incumbent Commissioner Tony Braswell who did not seek reelection.
The Republican winners have no Democratic opposition in November in their respective districts.
Strickland Wins NC House District 28 Primary
Incumbent NC House District 28 Representative Larry C. Strickland easily won the Republican primary over his lone challenger. Rep. Strickland carried 8,858 votes (89%) to his opponent, Elizabeth Anne Temple, who had 1,056 votes (11%), in unofficial returns Tuesday night.
Rep. Strickland will move on to the November 5 elections where he will face Democrat Tawanda Shepard.
Lewis Defeats Onufer For Judicial Seat
In a closely watched race for district court judge, Judge Michael Onufer was unable to keep his seat and was defeated by Brian E. Lewis. Judge Onufer had been appointed to the District 12 seat, representing Harnett, Johnston, and Lee counties.
In unofficial results across the three county race, Lewis received 23,717 votes (62%) compared to 14,662 votes (38%) for Onufer. Lewis led the ticket in all three counties.
Congratulations Ronald Johnson!! You won me over when you worked as the resource officer at SMS years ago. The love you poured into those kids was unconditional. I’ll always support you classmate!! You definitely have my vote again
Don’t be surprised if information comes or exonerating RJ. Rumor has it.
Yeah he was a good resource officer at sms but times change and people do to.
The sheeple keep voting for incumbents… y’all must love the direction this country, state, and county are headed in. With all the complaining about the school board, congress, and NCGA — when the sheep have an actual opportunity to make a change, you instead vote for more of the same. #ReapWhatYouVote #VoteOutIncumbents
Come on troops and let get April “FOOL” Lee on the school board, she is a teacher union teacher and will support Lyn “Ma” Andrews and our $180-K-Carrol and again step up and put those mask back on your kids!!! VOTE BLUE UNTIL WE ARE THROUGH!!!!
Election day….vote RED all the way !
So glad some people with integrity made it through. Michelle Pace Davis, April Lee, and Jeff Sullivan.
Another election that proves people don’t do their research on candidates!
Ronald Johnson is the “MAN!” He is NOT a “YES ” man to the board of education.. Admire a man who stands his ground. He has helped school employees, cafeteria workers and other empliyees, when problem presents itself. A+++++++++ JOB !
Pay attention. If they voted marshburn then those voters hate Johnson So add the 7,000 that marshburn had to Sullivan So guess what that means for Johnson. It mean bye bye adios amigo. The votes are not there for him Ooooops
I think you need a REALITY check.
Why didn’t Rev. Dr. Wendy Ella May run?
Way to go Ronald !!! I will always trust you in my grandchildren’s education !!!