ROCKINGHAM — Three new faces will be joining the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, according to the unofficial results of Tuesday’s election.
Returning Commissioner Justin Dawkins will be joined by fellow Republicans Terry Lewis and Laverne Schultz, as well as Democrat Cameron Wright. Each candidate received at least 15% of the vote.
Wright is the first Democrat to be elected to the board since the conservative sweep in 2022.
Three current commissioners will be stepping down: Dr. Rick Watkins decided not to run; Robin Roberts lost in the Republican primary; and Justin Gainey was defeated on Election Day.
Before the polls opened Tuesday morning, more than 8,000 Richmond County voters had cast their ballots.
As early votes were released, there appeared to be a “Blue wave” with Democrats leading in several prominent races.At one point, with five precincts reporting, Linda Ross led Schultz by four votes in the commissioners race.
Gainey secured 14.64% and Ross 13.91%. Unaffiliated candidate Michael Legrand garnered 9.69% of the vote.
Sheriff Mark Gulledge was reelected over former deputy Tahid “Ty” Rucker with 55.84% of the vote.
District Attorney Jamie Adams won by 16 votes over challenger Todd Scott across the three-county district of Richmond, Anson and Scotland counties. Scott won Richmond, and Adams secured Scotland and Anson.
Clerk of Superior Court Vickie Daniel, as well as District Court Judges Chevonne Wallace and Chris Rhue, ran unopposed.
Johnny McInnis and Kenneth J. Hill were both elected to the Soil and Water Conservation District, with 297 write-in votes.
On the state level, Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, defeated Democrat challenger Joe Parfitt with 51.71% of the vote; and Sen. Dave Craven, R-Randolph, won over Judy Little with 61.01%.
Former governor Roy Cooper has been declared the winner of the U.S. Senate race with 58.52% of the vote at the time of writing.
Rep. Mark Harris appears to have retained his seat with 50.41% of the vote in the District 8 race.
All three constitutional amendments on the ballot — requiring an ID to vote, capping the income tax rate at 3.5% and a property tax levy limit — appear that they will pass at the time of writing.
All vote totals are unofficial until canvassing will be Nov. 13.
NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the final figures in the district attorney election. 11:27 p.m. 11-3-26.
