ELECTION RESULTS: County Commission Democratic primary

Fred Coggins: 5,384 (16.68%)
Chuck Gallyon: 7,499 (23.23%)
Barbara Orr: 9,257 (28.68%)
Eugene Shuffler: 4,648 (14.4%)
Mark R. Vanek: 5,488 (17%)

unofficial results

Democrat Barbara Orr spent much of the month leading up to Tuesday’s primary out of the country, missing a chance to connect with the party’s faithful at several candidates forums.

Voters didn’t seem to mind and rewarded her candidacy with 9,257 votes, the most of any candidate - Democrat or Republican - for three seats on the Iredell County Board of Commissioners.

Orr, Chuck Gallyon and Mark Vanek survived a close Democratic primary to reach the general election.

There, they will face incumbent commissioners Ken Robertson and Godfrey Williams and the third GOP nominee, Scott Keadle.

The primaries primarily centered around growth and development issues, economic development and slight mentions of the commuter train from Charlotte to Mooresville.

Robertson, who received 6,781 votes in the Republican primary, was thrilled with the results and said they validated some of the stances he and Williams had taken during the past two years.

“I’m going to Disney World,” he joked.

Williams, who finished third in the GOP race with 5,699 votes, said he was relieved the primary was over. He said primaries are difficult because there are a lot of good candidates who care a lot about the county.

“I got about what I expected,” he said. “I live in the least populated part of the county, and I run against people from the most populated part of the county.”

Keadle, a dentist, was in a tight race with Langtree at the Lake developer Brad Howard as the early precincts reported. Keadle ended up second with 6,009 votes, while Howard finished fourth with 5,196.

“Obviously, I’m pleased,” Keadle said. “I’m thankful to all my supporters. I’m looking forward to the final election. I think we continue to give a voice to the conservative message.”
Gene Houpe finished fifth in the GOP race, garnering 4,114 votes.

The Democrats tended to favor Statesville candidates. Gallyon, who works for Iredell-Statesville Schools, received 7,499 votes and Vanek received 5,488.

Vanek edged retired truck driver Fred Coggins for the last Democratic spot in the general election, beating him by 104 votes.

“We are thrilled,” Vanek said. “I think it’s really super. It’s unfortunate that anyone has to lose. We realize this is one hurdle as we go toward the finish line.”

Eugene Shuffler, a retired veterinarian, finished fifth in the Democratic primary, receiving 4,648 votes.

Orr and Gallyon were unavailable for comment Tuesday night.

Posted on 05/06/08 at 11:07 AM
Iredell County •County Commission • (0) Comments

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