Unofficial results for 2025 Municipal Election in Southeastern North Carolina

Published

5 months ago

November 5, 2025

Unofficial results for 2025 Municipal Election in Southeastern North Carolina

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. (WECT) – Here is a breakdown of the unofficial winners of races across Southeastern North Carolina in the 2025 North Carolina Municipal Election:

NEW HANOVER COUNTY

Wilmington – Mayor

27 of 27 precincts reporting

Jonathan Barfield: 5,067 votes
Billy Craig: 7,411 votes
Bill Saffo: 12,093 votes

Wilmington – City Council

27 of 27 precincts reporting

Clifford Barnett: 6,647 votes
Chakema Clinton-Quintana: 11,464 votes
Richard Collier: 9,350 votes
Sean Guerrero: 777 votes
JC Lyle: 11,875 votes
Kelly Roberts: 6,506 votes
Cassidy Santaguida: 11,568 votes
Luke Waddell: 10,571 votes

Carolina Beach – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Lynn Barbee: 1,092 votes
Youssef Hassan: 301 votes

Carolina Beach – Town Council

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Vince Losito: 1,041 votes
Wayne Rouse: 1,122 votes

Kure Beach – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Kure Beach – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Byron Ashbridge: 385 votes
Mark Dirks: 358 votes
Tracy Mitchell: 118 votes

Wrightsville Beach – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Wrightsville Beach – Board of Aldermen

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Margaret Baggett: 490 votes
Hank Miller: 453 votes
Todd Schoen: 469 votes
Lee Williams: 58 votes
David Wortman: 356 votes

BRUNSWICK COUNTY

Bald Head Island – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Peter Quinn: 159 votes
Scott Thomas: 120 votes

Bald Head Island – Village Council

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Debra Drumheller: 82 votes
Slaughter Fitz-Hugh: 174 votes
Andrew Hano: 81 votes
Jesse Hermann: 193 votes

Belville – Mayor

3 of 3 precincts reporting

Nia Moore: 87 votes
Chuck Bost: 179 votes

Belville – Town Commissioner

3 of 3 precincts reporting

Hunter Smith: 208 votes
Ryan Merrill: 214 votes

Boiling Spring Lakes – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Michael Ellis: 472 votes
Jeff Winecoff: 583 votes

Boiling Spring Lakes – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Todd Ausborn: 519 votes
David Mammay: 401 votes
Kim Sherwood: 547 votes
Ernie Siriani: 512 votes

Bolivia – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Bolivia – Board of Aldermen

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Jonathan Hayes: 13 votes
Hannah Hrvol: 11 votes
Dewey Smith: 14 votes
Melissa Kay Walters: 12 votes

Calabash – Town Commissioner

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Shaun Bellamy: 95 votes
Frank Strungis: 90 votes
Bill Wilham: 95 votes

Carolina Shores – Mayor

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Carolina Shores – Town Commissioner

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Jeff Alt: 273 votes
Jack Brinson: 229 votes
Andrew Davis: 198 votes
Walter Goodenough: 75 votes
Debbie Watts: 507 votes

Caswell Beach – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Kathleen Berry: 117 votes
Martha Dollinger: 89 votes
Thomas Jarvis: 86 votes
Connie Silverstein: 67 votes

Holden Beach – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Mike Felmly: 172 votes
Alan Holden: 394 votes

Holden Beach – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Chad Hock: 235 votes
Sylvia Pate: 337 votes
Keith Smith: 306 votes
Maria Surprise: 234 votes

Leland – Town Council

7 of 7 precincts reporting

Leland Hyer: 2,588 votes
Bill McHugh: 2,401 votes
Frank Pendleton: 3,142 votes
Edgar Robbins: 371 votes
Susan Waleed: 1,763 votes

Navassa – Mayor

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Jerry Merrick: 123 votes
Ernest Mooring: 96 votes
Rose Terry: 162 votes

Navassa – Town Commissioner, District 1

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Tony Burgess: 72 votes
Ida Dixon: 111 votes
Marcell Hatten: 99 votes
Craig Suggs: 145 votes
Wanda Jones Willis: 217 votes

Northwest – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Sheila Grady: 186 votes
James Knox: 35 votes

Oak Island – Mayor

6 of 6 precincts reporting

Christopher Brown: 1,551 votes
Douglas DeArros: 77 votes
Liz White: 1,493 votes

Oak Island – Town Council

6 of 6 precincts reporting

Tommy Brown: 1,296 votes
Chasey Bynum: 1,391 votes
Chip Frazier: 765 votes
Kerri McCullough: 1,024 votes
Reece Simmons: 332 votes
Scott Stephenson: 1,175 votes

Ocean Isle Beach – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Ocean Isle Beach – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Polly Bristow: 168 votes
Mark Robertson: 230 votes
Wayne Rowell: 209 votes

Sandy Creek – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Sandy Creek – Town Council

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Johanna Didrill: 26 votes
Austin Lentz: 19 votes

Sandy Creek – Town Council, Unexpired Term

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Rebecca Wilkins: 23 votes

Shallotte – Mayor

5 of 5 precincts reporting

Art Dornfeld: 331 votes
Walter Eccard: 249 votes

Shallotte – Board of Aldermen

5 of 5 precincts reporting

James Bellamy: 399 votes
Eugene Vasile: 382 votes

Southport – Mayor

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Rich Alt: 848 votes
Joe Pat Hatem: 1,208 votes

Southport – Board of Aldermen, Ward 1

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Robert Carroll: 920 votes
Mike Crosbie: 908 votes
David Miller: 763 votes
Karen Mosteller: 987 votes

Southport – Board of Aldermen, Ward 2

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Nelson Adams: 365 votes
Katie Boyd: 0 votes
Bonnie Bray: 793 votes
Paul Gross: 860 votes

St. James – Town Council

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Dennis Barclay: 895 votes
Jim Board: 1,069 votes
Peter Cudlip: 286 votes
Ray Irvin: 576 votes
Jeffrey Lewis: 625 votes
Bill Miller: 895 votes

Sunset Beach – Mayor

3 of 3 precincts reporting

Shannon Phillips: 1,321 votes
Nicholas Peters: 547 votes

Sunset Beach – Town Council

3 of 3 precincts reporting

Sean Arnold: 1,127 votes
William Brougham: 896 votes
Katie Bordeaux: 1,482 votes
Gerard Byrnes: 667 votes
Richard Dysinger: 684 votes

Sunset Beach – Town Council, Unexpired Term

3 of 3 precincts reporting

Michael Hargreaves: 600 votes
Christie Batchelor: 1,264 votes

Varnumtown – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Varnumtown – Board of Aldermen

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Lori Galloway: 37 votes
Jeremy Ridenhour: 26 votes

PENDER COUNTY

Atkinson – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Atkinson – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Hector Ramos: 25 votes
Penny Stith: 21 votes

Burgaw – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Burgaw – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

James Malloy: 126 votes
Myura McDuffie: 116 votes

St. Helena – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Robert Barnhill: 28 votes

St. Helena – Town Council

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Neil Benton: 31 votes
Judy Katalinic: 25 votes

Surf City – Town Council

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Hugh Canady: 680 votes
Andy Pleil: 1,000 votes
Jillian Rodrigues de Miranda: 466 votes
Jeremy Shugarts: 184 votes

Topsail Beach – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Topsail Beach – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Alex Arab: 137 votes
John Best: 178 votes
Nancy Thomason: 179 votes
Tim Zizack: 110 votes

Watha – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Joseph Craig: 8 votes
Samuel Miller: 11 votes
Rachel Stadsvold: 10 votes
Ken Fountain: 15 votes

BLADEN COUNTY

Bladenboro – Mayor

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Bladenboro – Town Commissioner

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Jeff Atkinson: 94 votes
Cris Harrelson: 87 votes
Gregory Sykes: 86 votes
Joey Todd: 60 votes

Clarkton – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Stephen Hester: 32 votes
Troy Mitchell: 41 votes
Write In: 53

Dublin – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Dublin – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Richard Sibbett: 15 votes

East Arcadia – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Lillian Graham: 40 votes
Pamela Graham: 42 votes

Elizabethtown – Town Council

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Brenda Clark: 212 votes
Paula Greene: 458 votes
Penny Johnson: 41 votes
Bobby Kinlaw: 320 votes
Herman Lewis: 303 votes
Rufus Lloyd: 328 votes

Elizabethtown – Town Council (Unexpired Term)

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Bruce Dickerson: 438 votes
Robert Hester: 149 votes

Tar Heel – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Tar Heel – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Steve Dowless: 14 votes
Derek Druzak: 15 votes

White Lake – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

James Barefoot: 163 votes
Tim Blount: 159 votes
Paul Evans: 147 votes
Richard Shaw: 172 votes

COLUMBUS COUNTY

Boardman – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Eric Williamson: 20 votes

Boardman – Town Council

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Donald Britt: 20 votes
Tevis Britt: 19 votes
Crystal Rogers: 20 votes
James Smith: 20 votes
Minnie Turbeville: 20 votes

Bolton – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Bolton – Town Alderman

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Daniel Brown: 67 votes
Barbara Jo Graham: 54 votes
Gary Graham: 40 votes
Kelvin Thurman: 12 votes

Brunswick – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Tammy Blackmon: 42 votes
Curtis Hill: 53 votes
Ricky Mason: 34 votes
Alonzo McArthur: 31 votes

Cerro Gordo – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Cerro Gordo – Town Council

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Tracey Blackwell: 24 votes
Jeffrey Greene: 24 votes
Lisa McKee: 18 votes
Debra Prince: 7 votes

Chadbourn – Town Council

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Shannon Britt: 117 votes
Avala Nealy: 143 votes
Rashad Roberts: 188 votes
Andrew Worley: 85 votes

Fair Bluff – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Fair Bluff – Town Commissioner

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Bradley Cutrell: 116 votes
Clarice Faison: 137 votes
Grayson Jarvis: 118 votes
John Phillips: 63 votes

Lake Waccamaw – Mayor

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Greg Jacobs: 319 votes
Chad Smith: 30 votes
Matthew Wilson: 262 votes

Lake Waccamaw – Town Commissioner, East Ward

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Jerry Hinnant: 311 votes
Scott Hyatt: 296 votes

Lake Waccamaw – Town Commissioner, West Ward

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Curtis Andrews: 285 votes
Frank Carroll: 78 votes
Charlyne Jacobs: 242 votes

Sandyfield – Town Council

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Perry Dixon: 56 votes
Leonard Hall: 58 votes

Tabor City – Town Council

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Bryan Culbertson: 45 votes
Chris Fowler: 235 votes
Lamont Grate: 235 votes
Mitchell Strickland: 112 votes

Whiteville – Mayor

3 of 3 precincts reporting

Brandon Acker: 32 votes
Terry Mann: 367 votes
Brittany Payne: 47 votes
Mike Schachnuk: 96 votes

Whiteville – City Council, District 1

2 of 2 precincts reporting

Helen Holden: 173 votes
Vickie Pait: 230 votes
Linda Smith: 235 votes

REFERENDUMS

Holden Beach Pier Bond ($7.3 million for new pier)

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Yes: 211 votes
No: 351 votes

Sandyfield Malt Beverage Election

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Yes: 47 votes
No: 31 votes

Sandyfield Unfortified Wine Election

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Yes: 45 votes
No: 33 votes

Sandyfield Mixed Beverage Election

1 of 1 precincts reporting

Yes: 47 votes
No: 30 votes

Click here to watch WECT’s live election coverage.

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NC offshore wind project canceled as $1B deal shifts investment to fossil fuels

Published

3 days ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

NC offshore wind project canceled as B deal shifts investment to fossil fuels

A planned offshore wind project off North Carolina’s coast that could have powered roughly 300,000 homes has been scrapped after the federal government agreed to spend nearly $1 billion to halt its development, a decision that is drawing sharp reactions and raising questions about future energy costs in the state.

Under the agreement, the French energy company TotalEnergies will be reimbursed for leases it purchased in federal waters near Bald Head Island. In exchange, the company will redirect that investment into oil and natural gas projects, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) production.

The move comes as electricity demand in North Carolina and across the Southeast is rising, driven by population growth and the rapid expansion of energy-intensive data centers.

Energy analysts say removing a major potential source of power from the pipeline could have lasting implications.

“I think folks are trying to figure out how to reconcile this with the fact that we do need more electrons on the grid,” said Katharine Kollins, president of the Southeastern Wind Coalition. “Every state right now is looking at how we can develop more energy, not how we should be taking options off the table.”

The canceled project, known as Carolina Long Bay, was one of two offshore wind developments TotalEnergies had planned along the East Coast. The North Carolina portion alone would have generated about 1,300 megawatts of electricity and brought significant economic development to the region.

State leaders were quick to criticize the decision. In a post on X, Gov. Josh Stein said the Trump administration is “spending nearly $1 billion in taxpayer money to pay off a company to stop investments in the clean energy we need,” calling it “a terrible deal for the people of North Carolina and our country.”

The Interior Department, which negotiated the agreement, defended the move, saying offshore wind projects are too costly and unreliable to meet the nation’s energy needs. In a statement, officials said redirecting investment toward natural gas would provide “affordable, reliable and secure energy” while strengthening grid stability.

The debate reflects a broader divide over how to meet growing electricity demand while keeping costs down.

Offshore wind projects typically require high upfront investment but have no fuel costs once operational. Fossil fuel plants rely on fuel that can fluctuate in price.

“Using a billion dollars of taxpayer money to remove an option for North Carolina and then require that company to invest in LNG just doesn’t feel right,” Kollins said.

She and other advocates argue that offshore wind could help stabilize energy prices over time by diversifying the state’s power mix, particularly during periods of high demand or fuel volatility.

The federal government and industry leaders backing the deal say natural gas offers a more dependable source of power, especially as the grid faces increasing strain.

Part of that shift now points to LNG, which is traded on a global market. That means prices can rise or fall based on international demand, geopolitical tensions and export levels — dynamics that do not affect wind energy.

The cancellation also highlights uncertainty around offshore wind development in North Carolina. Duke Energy, the state’s largest utility, holds a neighboring lease in the same area but paused development last year as it reevaluated costs and policy conditions.

As state regulators and utilities map out how to meet future demand, the loss of Carolina Long Bay narrows the range of options.

For residents, the stakes may ultimately show up in monthly bills.

“When we limit our choices,” Kollins said, “we limit our ability to control costs.”

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North Carolina

What North Carolina Wants to See Happen in the Sweet 16

Published

3 days ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

What North Carolina Wants to See Happen in the Sweet 16

The North Carolina Tar Heels were a first-round exit in this year’s NCAA Tournament, but that does not mean that what transpires the rest of the way does not matter for the program.

It has been less than a week since the Tar Heels blew a 19-point lead in the second half against the VCU Rams, en route to an 82-78 loss in overtime. The result has raised doubts about Hubert Davis’ future as North Carolina’s head coach.

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) bites his jersey against the VCU Rams in the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

With all of that being said, here are a couple of things the Tar Heels should be wishing to happen later this week in the Sweet 16.

Duke Falls Short

Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer talks to a referee March 21, 2026 during the second half of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round East Region game with TCU at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The North Carolina-Duke rivalry is arguably the best one in all of sports. It was a tantalizing matchup the first time these two squared off this year, with Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer going head-to-head, as both players are expected to be selected in the top five of the 2026 NBA Draft.

However, the discrepancy between the two teams was apparent, even though the Tar Heels split the season series. The Blue Devils entered the NCAA Tournameent as the No. 1-overall seed in the entire field, while the Tar Heels limped into the field as a six-seed.

Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) with the ball as Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

While North Carolina would obviously prefer playing in the upcoming round, which starts on Thursday night, nothing would make Tar Heels fans happier than to see Duke fall to St. John’s in the Sweet 16.

The Blue Devils have been playing with fire in the first two rounds, at various points, but they ultimately advanced to the second weekend of the tournament. St. John’s is a formidable opponent that could legitimately take down Duke.

Mar 21, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May reacts in the second half against the Saint Louis Billikens during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

One of the Teams With a Legitimate Head Coaching Option To Lose

Mar 22, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger reacts to a call during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

It has been well-documented that North Carolina is likely to be in the coaching market, as Davis appears to be on his way out in Chapel Hill. If this occurs, the Tar Heels need to make a substantial hire that will elevate the program back to competing for national championships.

There will be a slew of options for North Carolina to consider, but two names to keep an eye on are Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger and Alabama’s Nate Oats. You may be asking yourself, ‘Why should North Carolina be rooting for potential head coach candidates to lose?’

Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Here’s why: the transfer portal opens on April 7, and ideally, North Carolina would want its presumed new head coach in place well before then. Those coaches will not be the only two to watch for, but they are arguably the most ideal.

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North Carolina

AG Jeff Jackson wants the president to negotiate change from Chinese apps that fund fentanyl

Published

4 days ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

AG Jeff Jackson wants the president to negotiate change from Chinese apps that fund fentanyl

North Carolina’s top prosecutor is asking the president for
help in the fight against fentanyl. Attorney General Jeff Jackson says
criminals are using Chinese apps to launder millions of dollars which fund
the fentanyl epidemic in the US. He thinks the president can negotiate a
change.

The effort hits home for the Nash family. This past weekend
marked four years since Jeff Nash lost his daughter, Amanda.

“It was a tough weekend. It was. I don’t think it gets
any easier,” Nash told WRAL.

Nash is one of thousands of fathers who knows what it feels
like to lose a child to fentanyl. And he knows what people will say…

“His daughter should have known not to do it. No one
forced her to do it. She was a grown woman. She was an adult who made her choices
and this was the natural consequence of her choice. And to say that would be
right. I understand that. However, two things can be right. It also is right for
our federal, state and local governments to do everything they can to keep this
poison away from our people,” Nash said.

Fentanyl is the primary driver of the opioid crisis in North
Carolina, contributing to over 75% of fatal drug overdoses in recent years. But
a small change gives cause for hope. 2025 and early 2026 data from the state office
of the medical examiner indicate a potential decline in fentanyl-positive
deaths for the first time in years.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson said there is
still work to do.

“We’re losing six people a day. I’ve spoken to a lot of families
who have lost people. I told them I’ll do whatever I can and one thing I can do
is go after the money. If you go after the profitability of a crime, you’ll
reduce the prevalence of that crime,” Jackson said.

More than $100 million a week flow through Chinese owned
apps to support the sales of fentanyl in the US, Jackson said.

Over the last year, his office got one app called WeChat
to agree to be more responsive with investigators and make encrypted spaces on
the app more hostile to fentanyl money laundering. But its sister app, Weixin is
not subject to US laws and wants the White House to take action.

In a letter to the president, Jackson and five other
attorneys general from Colorado, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Kentucky and South
Carolina urged the president to take action. It states that despite the agreement
with WeChat to work with investigators, neither it nor Weixin agree to share
data from the ap.

“In practice, this means that law enforcement can only see
one side of illegal transactions, shielding Chinese-based users from justice,”
the letter said.

Nash wondered why only six attorneys general would support
the effort. Jackson said the focus was to get a request to the president that
was not political, bipartisan and clear.
He believes President Trump has the ability to negotiate with the
Chinese to effect change when it comes to money changing hands through its
apps.

“I think we recognize that the Chinese government is
different than the American government and if the leader of China decided to
make a change, that change would be made,” Jackson said.

Nash was reluctant to revisit his pain discussing his
daughter’s death, but said it’s worth it if this letter gets people talking or
gets any government movement to reduce the flow of fentanyl into the US.

Nash was one of the subjects in the WRAL documentary, ‘Crisis
Next Door – The Fentanyl epidemic.’

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