Davidson County: Local Elections Bring Familiar And Fresh Faces

[Lexington School Board Candidates Gather at Coaches Restaurant to Watch Results/ Contributed Photo}

Davidson County Voters Weigh In Across Local Races

Learn more at The Davidson County Board of Elections

Some Davidson County voters made their voices heard Tuesday in municipal races across Lexington, Thomasville, Denton, Midway, and Wallburg. Results reflected both continuity and change—steady leadership in some towns, fresh faces in others.

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. The Ward 3 race was contested, and incumbent Matt Welborn defeated Dylan Tucker for a council seat.

In Thomasville, the mayor’s race was the tightest of the night. Longtime mayor Raleigh York Jr. narrowly edged out challenger Ja’Quez Johnson in one of the county’s most spirited races in years. Johnson, a community organizer and entrepreneur, drew new voters with his call for transparency and progress, while York’s tenure and deep local roots carried him across the finish line. Mayoral candidate Wendy Sellars addressed the results on social media, writing,

“There’s been some talk on this blue app that the recent mayoral election was ‘lost’ to another mayoral candidate because my campaign split the vote. I want to take a moment to address that respectfully and directly. I did not run my campaign based on who else was running. My decision to enter the race came from a deep love for Thomasville and a commitment to see our city move forward with integrity, transparency, and action.”

Sellars added that her campaign—Thomasville First—focused on improving infrastructure, boosting economic development, and ensuring safety and opportunity for all residents. “I owe no allegiance to anyone but the people of Thomasville,” she said.

The Thomasville City Council race drew a crowded field. The top four vote-getters—Dana Skeen Lomba, D. Hunter Thrift, Ericka Sanders, and Doug Hunt—earned the seats.

In Denton, incumbent Scott Morris retained his mayoral seat with 149 votes, defeating Stephen Davis.

Deanna Chandler Grubb and Larry Ward gain the top 2 open seats.

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 council.

School board races brought both familiar and new leadership.
In Lexington City Schools, Debra Verdell ran unopposed for the at-large seat with 800 votes. Patricia Miller defeated incumbent Lisa Hathaway in Ward 4. Incumbent Angela McDuffie earned the Ward 5 seat with 102 votes, and newcomer Cheryl Leverett-Lide succeeded Lewie Phillips.

(Contributed photo: Family of Cheryl Lide)

In Thomasville City Schools, voters chose Malcolm Richbourg and Ja’Quez Taylor from a crowded field. Richbourg led with 689 votes; Taylor followed with 562.

Overall, candidates said turnout was modest, typical of municipal elections, but in many cases, 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—small, close, and consequential—still thrives across the county.