NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Democrats Rob Zapple and LeShonda Wallace are the unofficial winners of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners race.
Unofficial results show Zapple received 56,259 votes and Wallace received 51,063 votes.
LeAnn Pierce, the current chair of the Board, received 42,217 votes and Richard Collier received 39,369 votes. Robert Drach, the third-party candidate, received 5,299 votes.
Republicans held a 3-2 majority on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. The candidates elected in November will join republicans Bill Rivenbark and Dane Scalise, and democrat Stephanie Walker on the board starting in December.
“Their voices have been heard,” said Zapple after the unofficial win. “It’s kind of saying goodbye to the past and moving forward.”
“Our community wanted change and everyone, the majority, showed up and they voted for change,” said Wallace.
Zapple knows exactly what it takes to be a commissioner, he’s been on the board since 2014.
This will be Wallace’s first time in a local office seat but has over 30 years of nursing experience and says she’s ready to get started.
Both candidates say it’s a happy ending to 11 months of campaigning.
“It’s a good night,” said Zapple. “It’s a good night for the people of New Hanover County.”
For Richard Collier, one of the Republican candidates in the race, he says it’s a tough loss but one he can live with.
“I know I’ve done everything I can do and I worked as hard as I could work and that’s what I’m proud of,” said Collier.
In a statement from the Libertarian candidate, Bob Drach, he said, “I am grateful for the more than 5% of voters who cast a vote for me. This outcome points the way to a better future for our political system. The independent share of voters continues to grow, and I look forward to growing along with this independent voting bloc.”
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