Municipal elections result in lessons learned

{JacQuez Johnson and poll workers met at Thomasville’s Finch Auditorium to begin his bid for Thomasville City Council. Photo: JacQuez Johnson}

By Antionette Kerr

Contributions by Joel Leonard

Warm weather and blue skies on Election Day brought a steady number of voters to precincts across Davidson County. While voters showed a smaller turnout than recently predicted, local matchups brought big messages to elected and defeated candidates.

Click here for results from the Davidson County Board of Elections.

Thomasville city council will see new faces. The top 3 candidates were:

Lisa Shell

JacQuez Johnson (newcomer)

Payton Williams

Thomasville Board of Education saw its first elected board. Previously, the board was appointed by Thomasville City Council. The new structure opened five seats with five candidates running. 

Wendy B. Sellars

Nancy Jean Staton

Ja'Quez D. Taylor

Renee Dow

Tiffany Baluka-Brannon

Former City Council member Wendy Sellars left her well-established post with the council to run for school board. Sellars was the top candidate in the school board election. "I served eight successful years on our Thomasville City Council and I wanted to give someone else the opportunity to serve on this amazing council. I want to say thank you to the candidates who ran for Thomasville City Council and Thomasville City Board of Education. Thank you for stepping up and wanting to serve this great community, your efforts do not go unnoticed," Sellars said. 

This is a historic event as Thomasville City is one of the last municipalities to move from an appointed board to an elected board. "I want to thank the citizens of Thomasville for again putting their trust in my leadership… It is a great feeling to be elected to the first-ever elected school board for Thomasville City Schools. I take with me the knowledge I have learned about city government while serving on the Thomasville City Council," offered Sellars. "I want to continue to work hard and be dedicated to enacting change in our school district just as I did on the city council. All levels of our city government are intertwined and all must be successful to ensure that our city is successful. "

Pictured: Wendy Sellars Ja'Quez D. Taylor Nancy Staton Tiffany Baluka Brannon. {Contributed Photo}

In a statement shared with a private group of supporters, city of Lexington mayoral candidate Burr Sullivan came up short but said he had no regrets. "I am grateful for the support and encouragement received over the past 100 days when I was a candidate for mayor of Lexington. The voters have spoken and I am disappointed in the outcome. But I am proud of the issues-based campaign I ran," Sullivan said. "The issues remain in front of our city and they will shape the next decade in Lexington. I have no regrets about running and no regrets about the issues that have been raised." 

He noted that two of his running mates will be serving on the Lexington City Council. "Tommy Black and Becky Klass will both make great leaders for our city and will be advocates for the common vision we share for Lexington’s success," Sullivan opined. "I predict that Cody Beck will be a successful city leader in the near future." Sullivan said he called Jason Hayes to congratulate him on his re-election, "...and wish him the best of luck in leading our city to a more prosperous future."

Several watch parties were planned, including a celebration hosted at the year-round office of the Davidson County G.O.P. on Young Drive in Lexington.

Davidson County GOP. {Antionette Kerr/Davidson Local}

Both Garrett Holloway (Ward 5) and Joe Watkins (At-Large) were re-elected to their respective city council positions. Watkins earned the highest number of votes.

Pictured Left: Council member Garrett Holloway celebrates victory with wife, Gabby; daughter, Jocelyn; and mother, Johnnie Holloway 

Pictured Right: Re-elected council member Joe Watkins (L) and school board member Darrick Horton (R) celebrate after a long campaign season.

Hayes celebrated his victory with family, friends and community supporters at Jj's Mama's Soulfood & More. The mayor thanked supporters who "stood with us" throughout the campaign. "It doesn’t matter what color you are, how much money you have or don't have, it matters what your intentions are. Do you care about this community?" Hayes said. "And you know what Lexington said today! 'We care.'" 

Council member John Burke congratulates mayor Jason Hayes. {Antionette Kerr/Davidson Local}

He was joined by returning school board candidates Darrick Horton and Brent Wall.

Hayes and several others advised there could be some contested aspects about this heated election. He told constituents to "Be prepared; we've got a lot of work to do."