Three-Way Race for Thomasville Mayor Tops Packed 2025 Municipal Election Slate

Candidates from left to right: JacQuez Johnson, Raleigh York and Wendy Sellers

The end of filing for the 2025 municipal elections on Friday have resulted in several contested races, including a three-way race for mayor of Thomasville. 

Candidate filing for the 2025 municipal election was from July 7 through noon on July 18.    

In Thomasville, current mayor Raleigh York filed for reelection. York has served as mayor since 2015; and served on the city council since 2005. He said he has been working for the community for 20 years and wants to continue moving Thomasville in a positive direction. 

“We have a lot of good things happening in Thomasville and I want to see them continue,” said York. “The city is in the best financial shape it has ever been in, our council and staff have a good record, and I want to see the progress continue. Our goal is to provide quality service to our citizens and serve them with honesty and integrity.” 

York is facing current city council member JacQuez Johnson, and city council member and Wendy Sellers in the mayoral race. 

Sellers served on the Thomasville City Council from 2025 to 2023. She currently serves on the Thomasville City Schools Board of Education and previously served on the school board from 2011 to 2015. 

Sellers said in a written statement on social media, that after years working in law enforcement as a correctional officer, she feels honesty and integrity is important for any elected official.  

“I’ve learned that integrity isn’t about what you do when people are watching, it’s what you do when they are not,” said Sellers. “That same commitment to doing what’s right, no matter how hard or unpopular guides me today in every role I serve. Whether it is advocating for our students, working to improve our community, or simply being the voice of reason when it matters the most, I believe integrity must lead the way.  Our city deserves leaders that tell the truth, follow through, and stand firm in their values. That’s what I will always strive to be.” 

There is also a tight race for four available seats on the Thomasville City Council. All seats in Thomasville are at-large seats, winners will be those with the top four votes in the municipal elections. 

Candidates for Thomasville City Council include Doug Hunt (I), Ericka Sanders; Ed Craddock; Adam Leisure; Richard Flippin; Tommy Bryant; Kareem J. Grant, Sr.; Joe Lambert; Dana Skeen Lomba; D. Hunter Thrift (I) and Scott Styers (I). 

There is also a contested race for mayor in Denton. City town council member and former mayor Scott Morris is running against newcomer Stephen Davis.  

Denton mayor Larry Ward did not file for reelection for his current position but did file to run for two available seats on Denton Town Council. Incumbents Anne Carter Bean and Deanna Chandler Grubb also filed for reelection. 

There is only one contested race for Lexington City Council, with incumbent Matt Welborn facing newcomer Dylan Tucker to represent Ward 3. Only the incumbents filed for the three other seats available on the Lexington City Council.  

Keith Curry filed for Ward1, Jim Myers filed for Ward 2 and John Burke filed for Ward 4. Current Lexington Mayor Jason Hayes was the only person to file for the 2025 mayoral race. 

In both Midway and Wallburg, only incumbents filed for reelection which means there will be no contested races. 

In Midway, Jackie Edwards, Keith A. Leonard and Robin S. Moon filed for the three seats up for election. The seat for mayor is not up for election this cycle.  

In Wallburg, current mayor Allen Todd filed for reelection, as did incumbent town council members Zane Hedgecock and Steve Yokley. 

There are two contested races out of four available seats for Lexington City Schools Board of Education.  

Incumbent Lisa Hathaway is being challenged by newcomer Patricia Miller as the elected official for Ward 4 and current school board member Lewie Phillips will face Cheryl Leverette-Lide for Ward 6.  Incumbent Debra Verdell was the only person to file for the at-large seat on Lexington Board of Education, and Angela McDuffie (I) has filed for Ward 5. 

In Thomasville, five people filed for two available seats on Thomasville City Schools Board of Education. All seats are at large in Thomasville, with those with the top two most votes during the election gaining seats. 

Those running for Thomasville School Board are Tiffany Baluka-Brannon (I); Malcolm Richbourg; Ja’Quez D. Taylor (I), Michael L. Sinkler and Jermiah McCauley.  

Election day for municipal offices is Nov. 4. Voter Registration deadline is Oct. 10, and early voting is from Oct. 16 through Nov. 1.