The GBA hosted a robust Primary Candidate Forum last month, which brought together candidates vying to represent Gaston County at various governmental levels, including the United States House of Representatives, the North Carolina House of Representatives, and Gaston County Board of Commissioners.
By the numbers: The Primary Election results are in, with an overall voter turnout of 20.33% of the 156,524 registered voters casting their ballots.
At the forefront of the election were races for various positions, including the N.C. House of Representatives District 110 and several seats on the Gaston County Board of Commissioners.
In the District 110 race, Kelly Hastings emerged victorious with an overwhelming 87.93% of the vote.
Meanwhile, the competition for seats on the Gaston County Board of Commissioners proved to be closely contested affairs.
In the Crowders Mountain Township, Bob Hovis clinched victory with 55.07% of the vote.
Similarly, in the Gastonia Township, Scott Shehan secured a decisive win with 65.06% of the vote.
The South Point Township saw a tight race, with Jim Bailey emerging as the front-runner with 27.44% of the vote.
Additionally, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore won the Republican nomination for the 14th U.S. House District for North Carolina.
The bottom line: These results underscore the importance of civic engagement and informed decision-making in shaping the future of Gaston County.
We encourage all residents to remain actively involved in the electoral process and to stay informed about the candidates and issues at stake.
Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more vibrant community for all.