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By Scott Nicholson, in the Watauga Democrat, 5 Nov. 2008:
Incumbents fared well in local elections, and Democrats carried Watauga County in most state-level races,
mirroring a national change of “red” to “blue.”
Democrat Cullie Tarleton of Blowing Rock won his second term to the N.C. House
of Representatives, defeating Republican challenger Dan Soucek and Libertarian
Jeff Cannon of West Jefferson. Democrat Steve
Goss handily turned away challenger Jerry Butler, also of Boone, to win a
second term in the N.C. Senate.
For the school board, incumbents Steve Combs and Deborah Miller won four-year
terms while Marsha Walpole won the third-place finish to earn a two-year term,
defeating David Ward and Joni Horine.
Republican Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk won a third term in
the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Democratic challenger Roy Carter
by a 57% to 43% margin, though Carter topped Foxx by 2,000 votes in Watauga.
Governor-elect Beverly Perdue, a Democrat, beat Republican challenger Pat McCrory
by 90 votes in Watauga, getting 50 percent of the statewide vote.
Democrat Kay Hagan handily won the county in defeating incumbent Elizabeth Dole
for the U.S. Senate seat, getting 53 percent of the vote.
President-elect Barack Obama beat John McCain in Watauga County
by 1,200 votes, with voter turnout at 68%.
Watauga was only one of two western North Carolina
counties, along with Buncombe, that Obama carried, consolidating much of his
victorious margin in the Piedmont.
North Carolina
was not officially called for Obama as of press time, but he led by about
10,000 votes in unofficial returns.
In uncontested races, Democrats Jim Deal and Tim Futrelle won four-year terms
and Winston Kinsey won a two-year term.
Senator Goss said education was the main issue of interest to voters,
especially in how it related to job creation, which he felt was the biggest factor
between this election and his narrow victory in 2006.
He got 53 percent of the district’s votes and said he looked forward to
continuing to provide constituent service and addressing the economy,
especially in supporting the district’s colleges and universities.
Tarleton said, “I’m obviously very pleased the voters had the confidence in me.
The economy is the big issue behind what
happened and what is happening and what impact that will have across the state.
I want to make sure we look after the interests of the district and look for
ways to fund education, teacher salaries and state employees and create jobs.”
Walpole welcomed
her first election victory. “I’m very happy to have the trust of the people of Watauga County and I look forward to working
with the other school board members,” she said.
Combs, a 10-year incumbent on the school board and top vote-getter, said, “I
will try to live up to people’s expectations and not let anyone down.”
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