Election 2021 results: Saffo holds mayor's seat, newcomer Waddell takes top council spot, and more

The 2021 municipal elections saw the highest voter turnout in recent history; in New Hanover County there was nearly double the early voting turnout and roughly 30% higher overall turnout compared to 2019.

In the race for Wilmington mayor, incumbent Bill Saffo held a firm two-to-one lead over Harper Peterson after early voting tallies were released at the close of polls around 7:30 p.m. Three hours later, little had changed: Saffo defeated Peterson by nearly 30 points, 12,927 to 7,267,

The race for three Wilmington city council seats was closer, with positions shifting throughout the night. Luke Waddell, a newcomer to politics, started the evening in third place and rose throughout the evening to finish in the top spot — surprising even his GOP supporters, who believed he would win a seat but hadn't expected him to finish the evening as the top vote-getter.

Early results put one-term councilman Clifford Barnett, Sr. as the top vote-getter just ahead of former councilman Paul Lawler — he slid to third place by the end of the evening, but maintained enough of a lead over Lawler to secure reelection. Charlie Rivenbark started in fourth but climbed throughout the night, comfortably securing a second-place finish and another term.

In New Hanover County's beach towns there were few surprises. Kure Beach's mayor and two commissioners ran unopposed, as did both Alderman up for election in Wrightsville Beach. In Wrightsville's mayoral campaign, incumbent Daryll Mills took nearly 85% of the vote.

Carolina Beach, known for the civic enthusiasm of its residents, will see some new elected leaders — although they are familiar faces.

In the town's mayoral race, current councilman Lynn Barbee bested formed mayor Dan Wilcox by a 20-point margin. Former major Joe Benson returned to win the top spot, and former planning board member Mike Hoffer narrowly passed Deb LeCompte, who currently serves on both the police advisory and planning boards.

Across the river in Brunswick County, the Town of Leland will see two new council members — Richard Holloman and Bill McHugh took the top spots.

The Leland elections featured six challengers running for two open seats after Pat Batleman and Bob Corriston decided not to run. Leland’s mayors are elected to four-year terms — current mayor Brenda Bozeman won’t be up for election until 2023.

Elections for the sanitary district H2GO went to incumbents —commissioners Bill Beer, Ron Jenkins, and Rodney McCoy all retained their seats. Without an upset, H2GO will likely remain on its path to merge services with the town of Leland.

The final tallies won't be made official until the canvass on Tuesday, November 9, but none of the races covered by WHQR appear to be within the recount margin.

Below: Results for New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender county elections. Note, all results are unofficial pending certification by county boards of election next week.

New Hanover County

Brunswick County

Pender County