Local Elections Bring Familiar And Fresh Faces
[Lexington School Board Candidates Gather/ Contributed Photo}
Davidson County voters made their voices heard Tuesday in municipal races across Lexington, Thomasville, Denton, Midway and Wallburg. The results reflected a trust of local leadership, with several incumbents returning to office and a few new names earning their first terms.
In Lexington, Mayor Jason Hayes was elected to a full term without opposition in the county seat.
Three City Council members also ran unopposed and were re-elected: Keith Curry in Ward 1 with 144 votes, Jim Myers in Ward 2 with 73 votes, and John Burke in Ward 4 with 156 votes.
The only contested race in Lexington came in Ward 3, where incumbent Matt Welborn defeated challenger Dylan Tucker with 100 votes to 68.
In Thomasville, the mayor’s race proved the tightest contest of the night. Longtime mayor Raleigh York Jr. narrowly edged out challenger JacQuez Johnson by just 22 votes, finishing with 972 to Johnson’s 950. York, a fixture in Thomasville government, faced one of his most spirited challenges yet, while Johnson, a community organizer and entrepreneur, energized new voters with his message of transparency and progress.
The crowded field of candidates for Thomasville City Council brought out strong competition. The top four vote-getters—Dana Skeen Lomba, D. Hunter Thrift, Ericka Sanders, and Doug Hunt—earned the seats. Lomba led the pack with 1,107 votes, followed by Thrift with 1,031, Sanders with 960, and Hunt with 864.
In Denton, Scott Morris was elected mayor with 149 votes, defeating Stephen Davis, who received 95. For Town Council, Deanna Chandler Grubb led with 187 votes, followed by Larry Ward with 132.
Midway and Wallburg voters opted for consistency. In Midway, Jackie Edwards, Robin Moon, and Keith Leonard were the top three vote-getters, all returning to the council. Edwards received 106 votes, Moon 105, and Leonard 100. In Wallburg, Mayor Allen Todd was re-elected with 118 votes, while Steve Yokeley and Zane Hedgecock filled the two council seats with 120 and 118 votes, respectively.
School board contests also brought a mix of familiar and new leadership. In Lexington City Schools, Debra Verdell ran unopposed and won the at-large seat with 800 votes. Patricia Miller defeated Lisa Hathaway for the Ward 4 seat with 99 votes to 71. Angela McDuffie earned the Ward 5 seat with 102 votes, and Cheryl Leverett-Lide took over the seat for Lewie Phillips for Ward 6, 121 to 108.
{Contributed Photo: Family of Cheryl Lide}
In Thomasville City Schools, voters selected Malcolm Richbourg and Ja’Quez Taylor from a crowded field. Richbourg led with 689 votes, while Taylor followed with 562.
Turnout was modest, typical of municipal elections, but the results showed that Davidson County voters continue to favor steady leadership while welcoming a few new perspectives. From Lexington’s uncontested races to Thomasville’s down-to-the-wire finish, Election Day offered a reminder that local democracy—quiet, close, and consequential—still thrives across the county.
