BRUNSWICK COUNTY — The primary election results have narrowed the field for some seats ahead of the general election, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3. However, a few races in Brunswick County have determined presumptive winners, while one county commissioner has lost his seat.
Both the district attorney and sheriff positions don’t face Democratic challengers so the primary results are wins for JK Somers and Brian Chism respectively.
READ MORE: Early-voting numbers increased since 2022 primary midterm election
Chism will continue leading the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office after being appointed sheriff in 2023 upon John Ingram’s retirement. The sheriff won this year’s vote with 69.10% against Tim Daniels’ 30.90%.
The district attorney’s office also has a new leader with Somers taking the reins from current DA Jon David, who announced in December he wouldn’t seek reelection. David endorsed Assistant District Attorney Jenna Earley, Somers’ challenger. Earley lost the election with 48.13% of the vote, while Somers took 51.87%.
Out of 143,700 voters in Brunswick County, 31,007 turned out for the primary election, increasing from 22,000 who voted in the 2022 primary midterm elections. Four years ago, the county had 121,000 registered voters, showing a 19% increase in voter registration.
Other primary election winners include Brunswick County Commissioner Randy Thompson, a Republican incumbent from District 1. He secured 66.51% of the vote against Republican Clif Cheek (33.49%), a current planning board member in Brunswick County. Thompson will face off against Democratic candidate Gary Woods in the general election.
In District 2, longterm incumbent Marty Cooke, first elected to the board in 2008, has lost his seat; Republican Patti Hewett received 52% of the vote to Cooke’s 48%. Hewett will face off against Sara Singer, a Democrat, in the November election.
There also were state and federal races to keep an eye out on in Brunswick County, including for NC House District 17, represented currently by Republican Frank Iler. Iler scored the majority of the votes at 74% against Nia Moore. The November election will have him going head-to-head against Democratic candidate Dennis Breen.
Other numbers can be tracked below, including for top U.S. Senate candidates — Democrat Roy Cooper will face off against Trump-endorsed Republican Michael Whatley for Thom Tillis’ seat. NC Congressional District 7 Republican David Rouzer outpaced Republican challenger David Buzzard as well, with Rouzer going against Democrat Kimberly Hardy this fall.
Below results are unofficial until the March 13 canvass.
U.S. Senate Democrat
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roy Cooper | DEM | 9,922 | 94.42% |
| Marcus W. Williams | DEM | 179 | 1.70% |
| Justin E. Dues | DEM | 165 | 1.57% |
| Daryl Farrow | DEM | 108 | 1.03% |
| Robert Colon | DEM | 72 | 0.69% |
| Orrick Quick | DEM | 62 | 0.59% |
U.S. Senate Republican
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Whatley | REP | 13,075 | 68.27% |
| Donald M. (Don) Brown | REP | 2,218 | 11.58% |
| Michele Morrow | REP | 1,002 | 5.23% |
| Thomas Johnson | REP | 994 | 5.19% |
| Elizabeth A. Temple | REP | 886 | 4.63% |
| Margot Dupre | REP | 590 | 3.08% |
| Richard Dansie | REP | 388 | 2.03% |
U.S. House of Representatives District 7
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Rouzer | REP | 15,234 | 77.96% |
| David Buzzard | REP | 4,306 | 22.04% |
N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 1
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael C. Byrne | REP | 10,329 | 58.87% |
| Matt Smith | REP | 7,215 | 41.13% |
N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Seat 3
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christine Marie Walczyk | DEM | 7,568 | 74.84% |
| James Weldon Whalen | DEM | 2,544 | 25.16% |
N.C. House of Representatives District 17
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Iler | REP | 8,346 | 74.39% |
| Nia Moore | REP | 2,873 | 25.61% |
15th Prosecutorial District Attorney
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| J.K. Somers | REP | 10,040 | 51.87% |
| Jenna Earley | REP | 9,316 | 48.13% |
Brunswick Board of Commissioners District 1
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randy Thompson | REP | 12,879 | 66.51% |
| Clif Cheek | REP | 6,486 | 33.49% |
Brunswick Board of Commissioners District 2
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patti Hewett | REP | 9,902 | 52.00% |
| Marty Cooke | REP | 9,142 | 48.00% |
Brunswick County Sheriff
| NAME ON BALLOT | PARTY | BALLOT COUNT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian M. Chism | REP | 13,996 | 69.10% |
| Timothy (Tim) Daniels | REP | 6,260 | 30.90% |
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