District 6: Aycock holds council seat
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on November 4, 2015 1:46 PM
News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Jackie Warrick, former District 6 Council member, left, Bill Broadaway, District 2 Council member, and Gene Aycock, District 6 Council member, look over the results as they come in from the polling stations during a party at the Lantern Inn on Tuesday evening.
Goldsboro City Council District 6 incumbent Gene Aycock will retain his seat on the council after challenger Linda Harper failed to pull off an upset and unseat him.
Aycock received 332 votes, while Mrs. Harper received 198. There were three write-in votes cast, but who those were for will not be revealed until Thursday.
"I had been watching the people voting every day, and I thought I was close and would win," Aycock said. "I'm glad that my district put their faith in me and re-elected me, and I think they know I work hard for them. I'm honored."
Aycock said the council has been working toward bringing down Goldsboro's crime rate, and added that he would like to continue that work after being sworn in again.
"I also think we need to make plans for more paving and work on our infrastructure in the city," Aycock said.
At the end of the day, Aycock said he was just glad the stress of the election was over.
"Mrs. Harper is a very nice lady, and she worked hard. She really did," Aycock said.
Mrs. Harper was down 76 votes to Aycock when two of the three precincts had reported in for District 6, and refused to concede until the final results were tallied. But, with 100 percent of precincts accounted for, Mrs. Harper said she could go home and get some sleep knowing she did her best.
"I'll probably go and pick up some of my signs," she said.
Although she did not win, Mrs. Harper was not defeated Tuesday night, surrounded by friends and supporters at the Wayne County Republican Party Headquarters in downtown Goldsboro.
She said if God had wanted her to win, knowing she did her part, she would have.
She thanked a host of supporters, including Julie and Mark Holzkam, Betty Daw and Bob Jackson, Joy Brown and Rochelle Hakala, and said she had no idea yet what the future might hold for her.
"I will take it according to my health," she said of a potential run next term. "If my health holds up, I will pray about it."
News-Argus Staff Writer John Joyce contributed to this report.