CHINA GROVE — The China Grove town board will look familiar as all three incumbents were re-elected in Tuesday’s election, according to unofficial election results.
Brandon Linn will return to the board with the largest number of votes, 191, while fellow councilmen Charles Seaford garnered 179 and Mike Upright had 156 votes.
All three men along with challenger Barbara Doby spent much of Tuesday at the polls. Doby, who received 107 votes, trailed Butch Bivens with 109 votes.
“I’m very thankful that the citizens of China Grove have confidence in me to return to the board another four years,” Linn said.
He and wife, Hannah, were at the county board of elections when the numbers flashed across the screen.
“I look forward to serving them as well as being an advocate for them,” he said.
He said his prayer going into the election was if it was in God’s will to win, then the opportunity would present itself. If not, then “God would close the door.”
This will be Brandon Linn’s second term on the town board. He is a school resource officer with the Landis Police Department.
He also thanked the voters for their “confidence in us. I hope we can fulfill their confidence.”
Seaford, who also was at the board of elections awaiting results, said he was reacquainted with some old friends and made some new ones at the polls. He will also be serving his second term.
Upright said he was excited that voters put their faith in him for another four years.
“I will do everything in my power to serve at their will and work to make China Grove more prosperous and a better place to live,” he said.
Upright said the difference from the last election is that he thinks the residents felt was a “certain amount of momentum with the incumbents and they wanted to put that trust in us to improve on our endeavors.”
Doby said she’s very pleased for the men who were elected.
“I think they’ll do a great job. I wish them well and I’m happy for them,” she said.
Bivens declined to comment.
Of the more than 2,500 registered voters, a little more than 10 percent voted.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.