As of 9 p.m. on Election Night, many races in Anson County had already been decided.
Keeping with its Democratic tendency, Anson County again swayed toward the Democratic candidates. President Barack Obama took 69.87 percent of the vote in Anson, while Republican challenger Mitt Romney got 23.67 percent and Libertarian Gary Johnson got just 0.33 percent. Although as a state, North Carolina voted for Romney, Anson remained a blue county, overwhelmingly choosing Obama.
Anson was one of 30 North Carolina counties in which Obama had the advantage. Locally, Richmond and Mecklenburg were also won by the incumbent president. Statewide, Romney took North Carolina with 2,252,518 votes to Obama’s 2,155,950.
Things didn’t go as well for incumbent Congressman Larry Kissell. He took Anson County’s vote for the U.S. Congress 8th District, with 72.03 percent to Republican challenger Richard Hudson’s 25.73 percent, but Hudson won the districtwide vote, with 159,256 votes to Kissell’s total of 134,918.
Kissell released the following statement Tuesday night: “I have been absolutely blessed to have the support of my family, friends and supporters from across this wonderful district. Things didn’t work out as we had hoped, but as I told Richard earlier on the phone, he’ll be representing some of the best people in the world. I’ll be working with Richard to make sure we have a seamless transition so that our folks who need help will be ensured the world-class constituent service they deserve and have come to expect.
I have considered it an honor to represent the people of the 8th District, and I look forward to the remainder of my term. There is much work to be done. Thank you and God bless.”
Hudson also released a statement, saying that he was willing to work with both sides of the aisle in Congress. “Tonight’s results demonstrated that the voters are ready for new, conservative leadership in North Carolina. They are ready for lower spending and fiscal responsibility; they are ready for more, good paying jobs; and they are ready to take our country back for the principles and values that have held us together.
While we celebrate tonight, the real battle lies ahead — for our country and the next generation. It will take hard work and tough decisions to turn things around but I am committed to working with Republicans and Democrats to achieve a better future for North Carolina.”
Democrats’ dominance in Anson County continued with the N.C. General Assembly races. Democrat Gene McLaurin had 78.10 percent of the vote, to Gene McIntyre’s 21.90 percent for the N.C. State Senate District 25 seat. McLaurin won the contest, with 44,023 votes to McIntyre’s 39,163. The seat is currently held by longtime Sen. William Purcell, a Democrat, who decided not to seek re-election this year.
Anson County’s own Dale Nelson also won Anson County in the N.C. House District 55 race, with 77.06 percent to Mark Brody’s 22.94 percent, although he did not win the seat in the House. Brody is the new District 55 Representative, with 18,850 votes to Nelson’s 14,403.
Although former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory won the statewide vote for governor, Democrat Walter Dalton won the vote in Anson County with 66.51 percent to McCrory’s 32.68. The same was true for the lieutenant governor race in Anson County. While Republican Dan Forest won the statewide vote, he lost in Anson with 26.70 percent to Linda Coleman’s 73.30.
The Republicans’ statewide wins mean that North Carolina has a Republican governor, lieutenant governor, senate and house for the first time since 1898.
On the local level, longtime County Commissioner Ross Streater retained his seat in the Lilesville district with 87.29 percent of the vote. Challenger Kevin Tucker garnered 12.71 percent of the vote.
In the District 20A District Court Judge race, Lisa Thacker won in Anson County, 70.08 percent to John Nance’s 29.92 percent.
Voter turnout was high, with more than 4.5 million of North Carolina’s 6,649,188 registered voters casting their ballots during the 2012 general election. Voter participation was also high in Anson, which had a 65.44 percent turnout.
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