Sam Harris won one of three full-term Union County commission seats in the Nov. 3 election, according to unofficial state results.
Incumbents Melissa Merrell and Brian Helms also finished in the top three, the North Carolina State Board of Elections reported. All three are Republicans.
Merrell received 52,056 votes. Helms received 51,249.
Harris received 50,969 votes. Democrat Christina Dupont finished fourth with 46,865.
All 54 precincts had reported, but the totals remained unofficial as of Nov. 6.
Harris replaces Baucom
Harris will replace Clancy Baucom, who ran for the state House rather than another commission term, The Charlotte Weekly reported.
Harris has served on the county’s Soil and Water Conservation District board since 2022, according to The Enquirer Journal. The newspaper reports that Harris, Merrell and Helms are scheduled to be sworn in Nov. 30.
Wedra retains the unexpired seat
In the separate special election, Republican Errol Wedra received 53,758 votes, according to the state elections board’s unofficial tally. Democrat Madeleine Byl received 45,389.
Wedra’s share was 54.22%. All precincts had reported in that contest.
The board appointed Wedra on May 4 to fill Gary Sides’ vacancy, according to Union County’s appointment announcement. Sides resigned March 31 for health reasons before his death.
The county says the unexpired term runs through Dec. 4, 2028. Its five commissioners are elected countywide to staggered four-year terms.
