New Hanover County voters have created a Democratic majority on the Board of Commissioners. And they’ve added a few to what was a fully Republican Board of Education.
Democratic incumbent Rob Zapple won a second term on the Board of Commissioners as the top vote-getter. But it was a close race. Democratic challenger Julia Olson-Boseman ousted Republican incumbent Skip Watkins with a lead of one-thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight votes. That’s slightly more than one percentage point.
The Board of Education, which has been all Republican, will now seat three Democrats: Stefanie Adams, Judy Justice, and Nelson Beaulieu. The fourth spot goes to Republican newcomer Bill Rivenbark who edged out incumbent Bruce Shell by 929 votes.
All results are unofficial until the vote canvass later this month.
Rob Zapple is a member of WHQR's Board of Directors, Friends of Public Radio.
