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North Carolina Rep. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin) defeated his Democratic opponent by setting a new record for the largest margin of victory in a race for the District 50 Senate seat.
According to unofficial results, Corbin earned 66.65 percent of the votes in the Nov. 3 general election, while Victoria Fox received 33.35 percent. The previous record for the largest margin of victory in the N.C. District 50 Senate race was held by Jim Davis, who picked up 62.46 percent of the vote in 2016.
“I’m very happy to have won all seven counties in the district,” Corbin said. “Traditionally, Swain and Jackson counties tend to vote Democrat, and I won both of those counties by a pretty healthy margin. I think it speaks to the fact that I work across the aisle.”
Although he supported Lt. Gov. Dan Forest in the gubernatorial race, Corbin said he is optimistic that the General Assembly will be able to work with Gov. Roy Cooper, who is on track to secure a second term. Despite tens of thousands of provisional ballots and outstanding absentee ballots that may need to be counted, Republicans are expected to remain the majority party in both chambers of the General Assembly. That would set up the opportunity for a continued impasse over the state’s budget.
“We will work with Gov. Cooper and hopefully get things in the budget we want for this next year, including that $11 million [that’s being held up] for Cherokee County schools,” Corbin said. “He can’t run for re-election after this, so hopefully we can have a good working relationship with him and work across the aisle to get things done for the benefit of our state.”
Corbin said he plans to request appointment to at least two Senate committees: Education/Higher Education and State and Local Government. However, he’s “willing to work on whatever committees I’m needed.”
As part of the education committee, he’d like to increase funding to local school systems. In regard to state and local government, Corbin would push for municipalities and counties to have more control over issues that affect their communities, such as sales tax and occupancy tax, among other things.
Between today and January, Corbin plans to meet with local lawmakers to formulate a plan for next term.
“I’m planning to meet with county commissioners and mayors of each of the towns to find out their priorities and what we need to do as a state to help them,” he said.
With Corbin moving to the N.C. Senate, Macon County Commissioner Karl Gillespie will take over his N.C House seat in Raleigh. Gillespie, also a Republican, received 74.17 percent of the vote to defeat Democrat Susan Landis and represent the 120th District next term.
He vowed to continue in Corbin’s footsteps and work with lawmakers from the opposing party.
“I will do my best to reach out across party lines and work with other legislators,” Gillespie said. “I’m looking forward to serving in the House and making sure the 120th District gets their fair share.”
While he believes there are still goals to meet in Macon County, Gillespie said he is proud of the work he and the other county commissioners accomplished
regarding Macon County Schools, Southwestern Community College and local government.
“My four years on the [Macon County] commission was a great opportunity for me,” Gillespie said. “I had the benefit of being with four other commissioners that each brought something different to the table. I will take [lessons learned] from each one of them with me to Raleigh.”