Incumbent Stone Tops Field

Only one of two incumbents seeking re-election will be on November’s ballot for Union County commissioner, along with a former president of the Republican Men’s Club and a Weddington council member.

Incumbent Richard Stone was Tuesday night’s top vote-getter, earning 4,517 votes, followed by Stony Rushing with 3,211 and Hughie Sexton with 3,190.

The three were narrowed from a field of nine Republican hopefuls. In November, they’ll face lone Democrat John Tarlton for the three commissioner slots.

Incumbent Larry Helms will not be on November’s ballot. He came in fourth with 3,142 votes. John Feezor, the board’s chairman, chose not to run.

Stone said he’s humbled Union residents have asked him to continue serving as a commissioner.

“It says that folks want honest government that listens to their needs and uncontrolled growth is definitely part of that issue,” Stone said.

Stone, 62, is in his second term as commissioner, his only political office. The New Salem resident owns Signs and Stained Glass Limited in Marshville.

Rushing, 30, was president of the Union County Republican Men’s Club until he filed to run for commissioner. He lives in Wingate and is a contract farm manager. He’s a member of the Friends of the NRA in Union County and the N.C. Chapter of Citizens for a Sound Economy.

“It says Union County is ready to stop fighting and is ready for good government,” Rushing said.

Sexton, in his second term on the Weddington Town Council, ran unsuccessfully in 2000 for county commissioner. Sexton, 54, designs and composes advertising for The Observer and owns Sexton Photography.

Sexton could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Also on the ballot were Roger Lane who earned 2,841 votes; Phil Gilboy with 2,368 votes; Kevin Stewart with 2,355 votes; Jack Lawton with 2,074 votes; and Constance Kelly with 1,640 votes.

Helms, 57, of Indian Trail, is in his first term on the board. He previously was mayor of Indian Trail and owns Larry S. Helms and Associates Insurance. He said he’s disappointed by the vote, but said, “It’s the American way.”

“It’s the way life goes sometimes,” Helms said.

In separate balloting, Stallings residents voted to allow hotels, motels and restaurants to sell mixed drinks and to allow an ABC store. Beer and wine are already sold in retail stores, but not restaurants.

Also, two judges, Susan Taylor and Chris Bragg, will face off in November for a Superior Court judgeship for District 20B, which includes Union and Stanly counties. Taylor is the incumbent, appointed in January, and Bragg is a district court judge.

The vote decided which two of three candidates would be on November’s ballot. Charles Lefler, an Albemarle attorney, also ran.