Lexington mayor, council and school board seats on November ballot
If you’re a Lexington resident who’s feeling a little confused since it seems like you just voted in a municipal election, you’re not alone. Yes, you voted on May 17, 2022. Yes, the current mayor and newest council members just took their oaths of office in July. Yes, you’re voting again in November to determine who will serve as mayor and occupy council seats up for reelection.
Are you still following along?
To refresh your memory about why you’re voting again, so soon, here’s a synopsis of what happened. The municipal election scheduled for Tuesday, November 2021 was delayed because Census 2020 data hadn’t been received. Since Lexington is divided by wards, the Census data was needed before boundaries could be redrawn and approved by the council. With an initial date of March 8, 2022, set by the state, the North Carolina State Supreme Court brought all procedures to a halt in December 2021 due to lawsuits being filed accusing the North Carolina General Assembly of gerrymandering.
After everything was sorted out in Raleigh, Lexington held its municipal election on May 17, 2022. In the fall, residents of the “Barbecue Capital of the World” will cast votes … again.
The Lexington Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Offices listed on the ballot include:
City of Lexington Mayor
Lexington City Council At-Large (2 seats)
Lexington City Council Ward 5
Lexington City Council Ward 6
Lexington City Schools Board of Education Ward 1
Lexington City Schools Board of Education Ward 2
Lexington City Schools Board of Education Ward 3
Davidson Local contacted every elected official, who currently holds each office, to inquire about their intentions regarding reelection.
Mayor Jason Hayes confirmed his plans to seek a second term. He submitted the following:
“I continue to evaluate myself on a daily basis to determine if I am making a positive impact in the Lexington community. As long as the answer to that question is ‘yes,’ I will continue to serve.”
It’s important to note for full context that in the previous nine months, the council has accomplished the following:
Continued growth and progress toward passenger rail, depot district development and Windstream building improvements
A major Siemens Mobility Announcement of 500+ jobs and a $220m investment in Lexington
City Council Code of Ethics drafted and implemented (there was not one previously in place and one was needed)
Improved relationships/partnerships with county commissioners
My Completion/Induction into the Advanced Leadership Corp with the UNC School of Government
The initiation of a city manager search, a search firm selection and beginning transition to an interim city manager
Significant new housing growth throughout Lexington
Remaining on the major objective list:
1. Poverty Plan inclusive of affordable/transitional housing and unsheltered evaluation
2. Tenant housing and exploration of a tenants’ bill of rights
3. Workforce development
4. Continued commitment to implementing a successful DEI initiative for the city of Lexington workforce
5. Community Rec Center evaluation
Joe Watkins, who serves as Mayor Pro Tem, and Frank Callicutt are at-large representatives on the council. Watkins has stated he’ll run again. When asked if he will seek a fifth term, Callicutt replied, “Who knows?”
Garrett Holloway’s name will appear on the ballot for Ward 5. Whitney Brooks (Ward 6) is undecided.
There are three seats with expiring terms on the Lexington City Schools Board of Education: Wards 1, 2 and 3. Darrick Horton (Ward 1), who’s served as the chair of the board since 2017, and Kathy Hinkle (Ward 2) haven’t decided about their futures. Ward 3 representative, Brent Wall, has stated he will pursue a third term on the board.
The municipal elections filing period begins Friday, July 7 and ends Friday, July 23. One-Stop Early Voting begins Thursday, October 19 and ends Tuesday, October 31.
