Recount Confirms One-Vote Margin In Kenly Mayor’s Race As Residency Challenge Advances

KENLY – The Johnston County Board of Elections on Monday evening took up a series of decisions in the razor-thin and increasingly contentious race for mayor of Kenly — a contest now separated by a single vote and shadowed by a formal challenge to the winner’s residency.

The special-called meeting followed last week’s recount that shifted the outcome of the race. Mayor H.L. “Tooie” Hales now trails challenger and current council member Keith Davis by one vote, 90 to 89.

Three days after Election Day, on Nov. 8, former Kenly mayor David Grady filed a formal protest alleging Davis is not actually a resident of Kenly but lives 200 miles away in Georgetown, South Carolina, where he serves as pastor of a church. Grady argues that Davis is ineligible to serve as mayor or on the town council.

Conflict of Interest Question
Before taking up the protest, Board Chairman John Shallcross Jr. disclosed that Grady had contacted him by text on Nov. 5 to ask how to file a residency challenge. Shallcross shared copies of the text messages and a follow-up email with the board, saying he wanted to be transparent about the communication and avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.

Board member Gordon Woodruff said the exchange was routine and part of a board member’s responsibility to help the public navigate election procedures. “It would be detrimental to our role if we couldn’t communicate with citizens,” Woodruff said.

Board member Brett McWhorter praised Shallcross’ openness, saying his disclosure demonstrated integrity.

The board voted unanimously that Shallcross’ contact with Grady did not constitute a conflict of interest or grounds for recusal.

Residency Protest Moves Forward
During the public comment period, Grady emphasized that his protest was not racially motivated and was not about Davis’ qualifications to lead. “Kenly doesn’t need an absentee mayor,” Grady said, arguing that the town deserves a leader who is physically present for local events and civic activities.

The board voted 5–0 that probable cause exists to hold a formal hearing on the residency protest. That hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19 at 4 p.m.

Recount Confirms 1-Vote Margin – 90 to 89
Following the decision, the board conducted a discretionary recount of all ballots cast in Kenly, including Election Day, early voting, and provisional ballots.

Hales received 89 votes in Johnston County, while Davis received 79 in Johnston and another 11 from the small section of the Kenly city limits located across the county line in Wilson County for a total of 90 votes. Hales received zero votes in Wilson County.

Davis, the mayor-elect, attended Monday’s meeting but did not speak publicly.

For now, his one-vote victory stands — but whether Davis will ultimately take the oath as Kenly’s next mayor will depend on the outcome of the November 19 residency hearing.