Bobby Sikes was the only county commissioner to face challengers this year, but came away from the race still holding on to his seat.

Janet Maria Dyson, unaffiliated, and Mechelle Ann Roberts Turner, a Republican, waited at the Anson County Board of Elections office on election night, watching as the results came in.

Dyson came away with 227 votes (13.10 percent) while Turner had 547 (31.56 percent). Sikes, a Democrat, won with 959 votes (55.34 percent).

Dyson said that she sent out hundreds of letters and made hundreds of phone calls, leaving voice mails at many places but also talking with many voters.

“The people I talked to were interested in what I had to say,” she said. “We need jobs here and we don’t know why they won’t come, and our property taxes are not fair. Those were my two main issues.”

Dyson said she knew she faced a challenge running against Sikes, but was up for it.

“A lot of people told me, even friends, saying, ‘You’re not going to win because you’re not a Democrat,’ and I said, ‘I’m not a Republican, either,’” Dyson said.

In a generally Democratic-leaning county, she said she knew she had to really reach people.

“I think I made good contacts and got people talking and listened to people’s needs,” she said. “There are concerns people have, and I go to the commissioners. They want change. I don’t go to be just complaining. We have concerns, and that’s what they’re there for.”

Dyson was disappointed, but ultimately fine with the results.

“I’m not heartbroken or sick or anything,” she said. “It’s what it is.”

In an emailed statement sent Monday, Dyson said her political affiliation should not matter.

“A lot of comments were made to me about not being a Democrat,” Dyson said. “Being a Democrat or a Republican has nothing to do with the needs of Anson County and the concerns of the citizens. What does being either have to do with the need for jobs, the need for property taxes to be fair throughout the county, road side trash, over population of cats and dogs and the desire of every single citizen to not have coal ash hauled and dumped into our county?

“Being a Democrat or a Republican should not define a person,” Dyson continued. “The condition of their heart, honesty, integrity, character is what defines a person, not a party affiliation.”

Turner, a school teacher and the owner of Simply Herbal, said she expected a larger percentage of the vote, but wasn’t “totally disappointed” with the results.

“I made phone calls, showed up at different events and that kind of stuff, and made personal contacts,” Turner said. “But I knew I was going after a guy that’s been in there 12 years, and I’ve lived here for 30. He’s been here forever as a lifelong resident. However, my in-laws are from here; they were born and raised here. So we’ve lived here about 30 years.”

Turner said she will likely run for another office in the future, possibly the school board or the board of commissioners again.

“I tried the Board of Education years ago, but it didn’t work, but I hadn’t been here long,” she said. “Here, I’d been more involved with the county commissioners, trying to report to the community what’s going on, and to churches and networks I’m involved with.”

She feels that Anson residents need another voice to communicate their need for more “things for people to do,” “better jobs” and “better wages,” improved schools and lower taxes in her area, she said.

“My deal is, with the showing of even Janet and myself, I know (Sikes) got 55 percent,” Turner said. “He’s going to have to wake up and listen to his constituents a little more.”

Sikes could not be reached by press deadline.

Commissioners Ross Streater, Jarvis Woodburn and Harold C. Smith ran unopposed, as did Register of Deeds Joanne S. Huntley.

All members of the Board of Education also ran unopposed: Mike Turner, Beulah Pratt, Frank Liles and Carol Ann Gibson.

John Springer, the candidate for Anson County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor, also ran unopposed, though there were 97 write-in votes (1.53 percent).

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.

Dyson
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Janet-Dyson.jpgDyson

Turner
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_mechelleturner.jpgTurner

By Imari Scarbrough

iscarbrough@civitasmedia.com