In Fayetteville, five of nine city council seats are up for grabs, along with the mayor’s office. That race pits current Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin against Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen.
Election workers told WRAL that turnout was strong all day long, with lines stretching out the door at some precincts.
Colvin and Jensen have both held office in Fayetteville since 2013. Colvin first won the mayor’s office in 2017. He announced in June he wouldn’t seek reelection, before reversing course a month later.
With about 30% of the vote counted, Colvin had a 55% to 42% edge on Jensen.
Voters who backed Colvin told WRAL they liked his experience, and the direction he’s taken Fayetteville in over the last few years.
“I like the fact that the city seems to be moving in a progressive manner,” said Keith Morrow, a longtime Fayetteville resident and veteran, originally from Virginia. “He’s looking forward and not behind.”
“His priorities resonated more with me and my family,” said Sontiel Torrence. “Community engagement for sure, that’s a big thing. Youth involvement. That’s very important as a father with up and coming children.”
Voters who favored Jensen told WRAL they liked her business experience, and want to see Fayetteville go in a new direction.
“I know we need a change,” said Dwight Lucas, a 45-year Fayetteville resident. “I look up at Fuquay Varina, the Apex area, the Raleigh area, I see a lot of business, a lot of industry going up. And the only thing going on in Fayetteville is 7/11s being built.”