By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — After winning the three largest counties in his district, Republican State Sen. Tom McInnis beat his Democratic challenger and scored a second term in the North Carolina Senate.

McInnis, who runs an auction company in Richmond County, won a majority of votes in Rowan and Stanly counties. He also won his home county. Democratic challenger Dannie Montgomery, an Anson County school teacher, won a majority of votes in Anson and Scotland counties, but they are the smallest in population in the 25th District.

McInnis received a total of 53,126 votes. Montgomery received 30,008.

In Rowan, McInnis’ margin of victory was much larger. He received 11,108 votes compared to 2,132 votes for Montgomery, whose best performance in Rowan came in China Grove, where she received 645 votes.

Reacting to his win, McInnis said he was “extremely humbled” and “in great awe” of the power of voters in the 25th District. McInnis said he’d put his full effort into improving economic and educational outcomes for the people that live in his district.

“Those are two things that are paramount to improving the quality of life in the 25th District,” McInnis said. “I want to be a strong voice for rural North Carolina and be trusted to take on tough issues.”

McInnis’ win gives him another two-year term in the state senate. He was first elected in 2014.

With another term in the state senate, McInnis says he’ll have more political power in the state capitol. McInnis said he’ll be able to more effectively lobby for items that will benefit the 25th District.

For her part, Montgomery said she was disappointed with the results of the race. She fired criticism at the Republican-led General Assembly’s policies in recent years.

“I was hoping that in this age of hostile rhetoric, that voters would think about the seeming lack of concern for the middle class, public education, growing the economy for the middle class, creating opportunities for all and the need for Medicaid expansion,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery said she was grateful for those who supported her.

In Stanly County, McInnis received 21,123 votes and Montgomery received 7,248.

In Anson County, Montgomery received 5,755 votes and McInnis received 4,404.

In Richmond County, McInnis received 10,288 votes and Montgomery received 7,978.

In Scotland County, Montgomery received 6,895 votes and McInnis received 6,203.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.