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With his election victory in hand, Cal Stiles is eager to embrace a power shift toward a “new triad” on the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners.
Stiles, the board’s District 1 representative, easily avoided a late challenge from former Cherokee County Schools superintendent Jeana Conley, who ran as a write-in candidate. The Republican candidate received 77.3 percent of the vote (8,461 votes), while 22.7 percent of the ballots (2,484) received a write-in vote.
With Ben Adams set to replace Gary “Hippie” Westmoreland in the District 3 post, Stiles sees new potential for the triad nickname that some county residents have used to criticize Westmoreland, board Chair Dan Eichenbaum and Commissioner Randy Phillips. Stiles and Commissioner Jan Griggs frequently have been on the lesser end of 3-2 voting splits with their fellow commissioners.
“There’s a new triad,” Stiles said. “I’m looking forward to working with Ben Adams and Commissioner Griggs to see what we can accomplish.
“What I intend, for my portion of it, I think that we’re going to have a different viewpoint from the board moving forward. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Conley said she always saw it as “an uphill battle” to challenge for a county office as a write-in candidate.
“When you look at the fact that nearly 2,500 people actually took the time to write my name in, 2,500 people believing in you is nothing to sneeze at,” she said. “I really found out, during crunch time, who would be there for me. It’s been a very worthwhile journey.”
The newly retired superintendent said it’s still too early to say whether or not she might seek an elected office in the future.
The rest of Cherokee County’s local candidates, all Republicans, ran unopposed. Among registered voters, 53.09 percent (12,290 out of 23,148) cast a ballot. That was a bump up from the 2018 midterm election, when 47.22 percent of registered voters (11,079 out of 23,465) exercised their right to vote.
Election officials across the country have faced increased scrutiny in recent years amid partisan accusations and conspiracy theories about how ballots are cast and counted. In Cherokee County, however, Director of Elections Leighsa Jones said the process seemed to run “pretty smoothly.”
“We didn’t have any major hiccups or anything,” she said. “We had several new precinct officials, and all in all they did well.”
Despite being the only local candidate facing opposition, Stiles actually received 13 more votes than Eichenbaum, who received 8,448 votes in District 4. Adams will join them on the board in December after officially clinching the District 3 seat with 10,119 votes.
“He’ll do a great job,” Stiles said of Adams. “He’ll be his own person, and that’s something I think we need as well.”
The current board is scheduled to meet Monday, Nov. 28, for the final time. Stiles said he hopes his fellow commissioners do not attempt to take any unexpected, 11th-hour actions. During a heated October meeting, the agenda included the late addition of a new fixed-base operator lease agreement with Gayland Trull for Western Carolina Aviation at Western Carolina Regional Airport in Andrews.
The board briefly went into closed session to discuss the issue partway through the meeting. Afterward, county attorney Darryl Brown advised against entering into the lease. Commissioner Jan Griggs made a motion that the board take no action on the item, and the board unanimously agreed.
“I would think that, at this point, this current board needs to realize that there’s no need to try to do anything at the last minute that another board could possibly undo,” Stiles said. “So, we need to meet and just actually take care of the business of the county on the 28th. No personal issues, let’s just get in and handle whatever business we need to transact in the interests of citizens.”
Cherokee County sheriff
Murphy assistant police chief Dustin Smith is officially sheriff-elect after receiving 10,608 votes. Smith, who defeated Heath Woodard and former chief deputy Joe Wood in the primary, will succeed Sheriff Derrick Palmer, who did not seek a third term.
Board of education
In the at-large race, Steve Coleman received 10,043 votes. Coleman defeated incumbent Keesha Curtis in the Republican primary.
In District 2, Jeannie Gaddis received 10,234 votes. Gaddis, who defeated Allen Denny and Andrew Zenobi in the primary, replaces Dr. Jeff Martin, who did not seek another term.
In District 3, Jason Murphy (9,258 votes) and Shannon D. Raper (8,510) each officially claimed one of the two available posts. Those spots on the board were vacated by Wood, due to his bid for sheriff, and Joey Shore, who finished third in the primary.
Clerk of court
Incumbent Roger Gibson secured another term with 10,708 votes. He ran unopposed in the primary as well.
Register of deeds
Karen Mintz Wright received 10,600 votes. She defeated Stephanie Swanson in the primary and will succeed Daphne Dockery, who did not seek re-election.