By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
Rowan County Republicans have picked a deputy sheriff to serve as the party chairman.
Tony Yon, 54, of Salisbury, succeeds Stephen Kidd in the party’s top post.
A deputy sheriff in Davidson County, Yon ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in the 2006 Rowan Republican primary.
For the past two years, he served as precinct organization chairman.
Yon thanked the nearly 50 delegates attending the convention for their support, while saying he is open to new ideas.
Kidd said it has been a privilege to serve and expressed confidence the party will continue to move forward.
The delegates meeting Saturday in the Cohen Administrative Offices Building unanimously elected the full slate of officers offered by the nominating committee, headed by Kidd.
Donna Peeler, of Rockwell, will return as vice chairwoman. She previously served in that post from 2005 to 2007. Peeler ran unsuccessfully in the 2008 GOP primary for county commissioner.
Bill Morrison, a retired banker from Salisbury, is the new treasurer, and Timothy Livengood, of Salisbury, a real estate agent, was tapped as secretary.
Delegates also approved a slate of 10 at-large members of the party’s Executive Committee. They are: Ty Cobb, Jim Sides, Joy Costantino, James Furr, Barbara Earnhardt, Susan Morris, Mary Messinger, Phyllis Cain, John Graham and John Foster.
A total of 47 delegates were named for upcoming district conventions.
The 12th District Convention will be at the Cohen Administrative Offices Building, 130 W. Innes St. The date and time will be announced.
The 6th District Convention is set for April 23, 7 p.m., at the Randolph County Courthouse in Asheboro.
Marcus Kindley of Greensboro, one of several candidates for state GOP chairman, spoke briefly at the local convention.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254.